We invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban in 2001. Millions were displaced, hundreds of thousands of Afghans died and thousands of U.S. and allied service men and women were killed or suffered terrible injuries. Maine had the highest death rate per capita of any state. Today, the Taliban is back in power.

We invaded Iraq and toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003. Millions were displaced, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis died and thousands of U.S. service men and women were killed or suffered terrible injuries. Maine was among the states with the highest death rate per capita. Today, there is still no stable government.

We bombed Libya and toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. We initiated a civil war with mass casualties and widespread population displacement. There is still no stable government. We have a long history of regime change with disastrous consequences. In Asia, in the Middle East, in Africa, in Central America, in South America. The human toll has been calamitous and for many the suffering never ending.

Why would we think it is going to be different in Venezuela? President Trump is marching us — with eyes wide open — into another regime change, in defiance of both U.S. and international law, with no credible alternative government in place, no clear aim other than to seize Venezuela’s oil, and no defined end in sight.

I fear the price the Venezuelans, Maine’s service men and women, and all of us, will pay.

Nigel Calder
Newcastle