According to Dr. Frank Umbach, there are several possible justifications for the U.S. attack on Venezuela, though none are truly convincing. On one hand, the U.S. aims to combat so-called 'narco-terrorism' by ousting Nicolás Maduro. While Venezuela plays a role in this context, it is by no means the most significant actor. Dr. Umbach further noted that the economic interests sometimes cited as justification for the intervention are only partially valid. Although Venezuela possesses vast oil reserves, the crude is particularly heavy (viscous), making it more difficult to market globally. Furthermore, Venezuelan oil would compete directly with U.S. production; Dr. Umbach remains skeptical that this would serve American interests.
The final part of the interview addressed the military success and legitimacy of the operation. From a military perspective, the mission was highly successful. Information from Nicolás Maduro’s inner circle was reportedly leaked to U.S. military forces, highlighting the regime's instability. However, Dr. Frank Umbach emphasized that the action is in no way compatible with international law, which has come under increasing pressure lately. In this regard, he placed Trump in the same category as Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.