Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro made waves over the weekend when he was filmed performing a dance eerily reminiscent of former US President Donald Trump.
At a rally in Caracas, Maduro pumped his fists, swayed side to side, and moved with a style observers quickly dubbed “Trumpian.”
A Social Media Moment Goes Viral
The clip didn’t stay under the radar for long.
Former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz shared it on X, writing, “In a surprising move, Maduro is now doing the Trump dance,” along with the footage of the Venezuelan leader’s jig.
Adding to the spectacle, the dance was set to a remix of Maduro’s own past anti-war statements, the electronic beat repeating lines like, “No crazy, no crazy war no, no, no, no.” Many online speculated that the track was AI-generated.
Sending an Anti-War Message to Students
While performing his routine, Maduro addressed a group of students, urging them to promote his administration’s anti-war stance.
His theatrics were interpreted as both a political statement and an attempt to capture attention amid escalating tensions in the region.
US Military Readiness in the Caribbean
Maduro’s dance comes at a time of increased US military presence in the Caribbean—the largest buildup since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has restricted leave over Thanksgiving and Christmas, signaling potential land strikes in Venezuela within the next ten days to two weeks, according to NewsNation’s Kellie Meyer.
Targeting Narco-Terrorism and Maduro’s Allies
The Trump administration recently designated the Cartel de los Soles, a group linked to Maduro, as a terrorist organization.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the designation “brings a whole bunch of new options to the United States.”
The cartel, originating in the 1990s among Venezuelan military officials, now includes political leaders and government officials accused of drug trafficking, arms dealing, illegal mining, and money laundering.
Trump Signals Openness to Direct Action
Former President Trump indicated last week that he would not rule out a direct strike on Venezuela.
Meanwhile, US forces have reinforced their Caribbean presence since August, deploying thousands of troops, ships, aircraft, F-35 fighter jets, and even a nuclear submarine.
The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford arrived on November 16 to join the operation, which aims, according to Trump’s administration, to counter Venezuelan narco-terrorism.
Covert Operations and Escalating Tensions
Reports suggest US covert missions in Venezuela could be a precursor to broader conflict.
Over the past months, US forces have reportedly targeted at least 20 alleged drug-running vessels, resulting in over 80 casualties, though the administration has not publicly confirmed the drug cargo.
In August, the US also raised Maduro’s bounty to $50 million, further intensifying the pressure on the Venezuelan leader.
Observers Weigh in on Motives
Analysts believe the overarching goal of the military and diplomatic pressure is to challenge Maduro’s hold on power.
While his Trump-inspired dance may seem lighthearted, it takes place amid serious geopolitical maneuvers, military posturing, and mounting US-Venezuela tensions.
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