A Venezuela Troop Deal Should Hunt Cartels — Not Build Another Nation

The Trump administration is negotiating a status of forces agreement with Caracas. Done right, it turns a former enemy into a launchpad against the narco-terror groups poisoning America. Done wrong, it is Iraq in the Caribbean.

By Clara Hughes

Ten months ago, Venezuela was a Russian, Chinese and Iranian foothold on America's doorstep. Today its government is negotiating the terms under which American troops could work on its soil. The Trump administration is negotiating an agreement with Venezuela that would lay the foundation for a potential long-term U.S. military presence in the country, U.S. officials told The New York Times, in reporting republished by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Nov. 3. The State Department under Secretary of State Marco Rubio is leading the talks on the pact, known as a status of forces agreement, or SOFA. Rubio told the Times the United States would like a "presence agreement" allowing American troops to operate "jointly" with Venezuelan forces, The Center Square reported. That is a remarkable turn — and it is the direct result of a president who acted. U.S. forces seized Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3 and took him to face charges in New York, the Inquirer and Anadolu reported. Keep reading with Altas Premium. Below: what a SOFA