CNN Guest Warns a U.S. Ground Invasion of Venezuela Would Put America 'In the Same Category' as Russia in Ukraine

Summary: A CNN foreign policy commentator warned that a U.S. ground invasion of Venezuela would place the United States in the same moral and legal category as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A foreign policy expert on CNN sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent remarks signaling a willingness to invade Venezuela, arguing that a U.S. ground assault would put America "in the same category as Russia invading Ukraine."

Over recent months, the administration has authorized strikes on multiple boats it labeled "narcoterrorists," which it said were transporting drugs bound for the United States. Reports indicate those strikes killed more than 70 people; on-air guest Juan Gonzalez referenced roughly 80 casualties. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other officials have offered justifications, but critics say the operations lack clear legal authority and depart from prior practices of interdicting suspected drug-smuggling vessels and arresting occupants.

President Trump has also escalated rhetoric toward Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, saying Maduro should be removed from office and leaving open the possibility of a land invasion. The U.S. has repositioned major military assets to the Caribbean, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, and there are reports of an estimated buildup of about 15,000 personnel.

On air, anchor Boris Sanchez noted that despite the deployment, Trump continued to speak of direct negotiations and repeated the administration’s claim that "Maduro’s days are numbered," before asking Juan Gonzalez — a former National Security Council senior director for the Western Hemisphere and a Georgetown Americas Institute fellow — for his assessment.

"Any sort of channel for dialogue is positive," Gonzalez said, adding that the U.S. force posture has shifted from symbolic to a carrier strike group with a credible threat off Venezuela’s coast, which "opens the door for accidents to happen."

Gonzalez warned a mistake could quickly escalate into a dangerous confrontation if diplomatic channels were absent. Asked directly what would happen if the U.S. launched ground strikes, he said that would "cross an important rubicon." He argued prior unilateral strikes did not meet the thresholds set by the UN Charter or international humanitarian law for the legitimate use of force.

"Just designating a gang as a foreign terrorist organization is not a license for the use of lethal force," Gonzalez said. While acknowledging that Maduro is "a dictator" who represses his population, Gonzalez insisted that a U.S. land invasion would place America in the same moral and legal territory as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Anchor Sanchez closed the segment: "Wow. Juan Gonzalez, thank you so much for the perspective." Watch the clip on CNN. The original report first appeared on Mediaite.