Maduro, Trump, and the politics of timing

Canadian politicians were quick to weigh in on an illegal U.S. military action—but whose interests are they really serving?
U.S. President Donald Trump’s anti-drug rationale for attacking Venezuela is not a legal premise but a moral narrative, historically deployed to sanitize illegal interventions in Latin America, writes Bhagwant Sandhu.White House photograph by Daniel Torok
Opinion
BY BHAGWANT SANDHU
January 8, 2026

OTTAWA—How does one make sense of the brazen kidnapping of a foreign head of state, Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, by the United States government under President Donald Trump? S...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

Top Canadian political and policy opinion and analysis. Saturdays and Sundays. Weekends.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy

MORE Opinion

Immigration and the survival of French are tied in Quebec

opinionBY ANDREW CADDELL

Treasury Board wants to ‘modernize’ Privacy Act by legalizing more personal data reuses, sharing

opinionBY KEN RUBIN

Can Canada’s Species at Risk Act protect endangered wildlife on federal land?

opinionBY LYNN JONES

New Democrats must be united for voters to hear the ‘roar’

opinionBY JOSH BIZJAK

Don’t let partisanship guide Conflict of Interest Act updates

opinionBY EDITORIAL

RELATED STORIES

Election promise tracker: key pledges parties are making this campaign

featureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

The Hill Times’ 100 Most Influential People in Politics and Government in 2026

newsBY ABBAS RANA, LAURA RYCKEWAERT, NEIL MOSS, MARLO GLASS, STUART BENSON, KATE MALLOY, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, JESSE CNOCKAERT, IREM KOCA, ELEANOR WAND, PETER MAZEREEUW

Breaking down C-5: Carney’s ‘build, baby, build’ bill draws support from business sector, but heavy pushback from environmental, Indigenous groups

newsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

No ‘perfect’ solution in Carney asset disclosure calls, say law and political science experts

newsBY JESSE CNOCKAERT

MPs begin debate on elections bill

featureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

MORE Feature

Visiting MPs hope to see a permanent military presence for Canada in Latvia 

featureBY NEIL MOSS

Champagne ready to table spring update bill

featureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Liberal matriarchs Heather Peterson, Cathy Graham lend experienced hands to next generation of politicians

featureBY CHRISTINA LEADLAY

Champagne steps into the spotlight

featureBY PETER MAZEREEUW, RIDDHI KACHHELA

Robertson adds deputy chief of staff, regional adviser, and more

featureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

RELATED STORIES

The Hill Times’ 100 Most Influential People in Politics and Government in 2026

newsBY ABBAS RANA, LAURA RYCKEWAERT, NEIL MOSS, MARLO GLASS, STUART BENSON, KATE MALLOY, SAMANTHA WRIGHT ALLEN, JESSE CNOCKAERT, IREM KOCA, ELEANOR WAND, PETER MAZEREEUW

The house that Robertson built: a look at the minister’s team to date 

featureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Breaking down the staff behind Mark Carney’s PMO: part 1

featureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

Breaking down the staff behind Mark Carney’s PMO: part 2

featureBY LAURA RYCKEWAERT

All eyes on Trump: meet the top 50 foreign policy influencers navigating Canada’s role in a rocky world

featureBY NEIL MOSS, STUART BENSON, IREM KOCA