Franco Ordonez

And that using the threat of designating him was kind of a diplomatic pressure tool.

So, I mean, that's something that, you know, had been held out there as a you better engage with us or else.

Well, you've just gotten the or else.

So we're definitely closer to military intervention.

Now, like many analysts, Bremer doesn't expect a ground invasion, but more likely targeted strikes.

And Trump has used targeted strikes before, such as earlier this year in Iran.

Yeah, I mean, he's the top nation's top military officer and a key part of this massive buildup of forces in the Caribbean, including, you know, the Navy's largest aircraft carrier and some 15,000 troops.

Now, Mike Pompeo, who was secretary of state during the first Trump administration, he was on Fox yesterday and he said it was clear that the general was not going to the Caribbean just to thank the troops.

I mean, there are a lot of political implications that Trump needs to weigh.

There's a debate whether striking Venezuela fits with America First.

Now, the White House says that Trump is prepared to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into the country, and that is America First.

But going farther than that carries a risk of longer-term responsibility.

Now, of course, there are cases where regime change arguably worked.

Take Panama in 1989.

But there are other examples, including Iraq and Afghanistan, where regime change did not go so well.

And Bremer told me kind of this idea of anything is better than Maduro can quickly fall apart.

Always a pleasure, Steve.

Thank you.

The two leaders met in person last month in South Korea, where they announced a breakthrough agreement on trade.

According to a readout of the call from China's state news agency, Xi said Taiwan's return to China is, quote, an important part of the post-war international order.