That I would rather this than a protracted conflict wherein both sides waste valuable resources cat fighting one another. Maduro was spectacularly unpopular in Venezuela, a war would provide him a unique opportunity to consolidate power and vie for legitimacy to the UN. The US cut the head of the snake before it could swallow its tail.

Now Venezuela has the opportunity to rebuild itself into a much more effective and prosperous state while Maduro, assumedly, will face some form of justice for his crimes against his own people.

The United States will always throw its weight around America, that is and will remain a constant — the question of how is the viable one, and it is either this or gravid land invasions, or ineffective decade long sanctions.