To have Venezuela change their policies with respect to the oil industry, relations with other nations (particularly China, Cuba, and Russia), and drug interdiction in order to align with United States interests.

Partial credit. Most of these are secondary. The primary objective is to reduce or eliminate China’s presence in the western hemisphere.

Now. What kind of government is required in Caracas to make that happen?

So back to you - can you explain how removing Maduro, but not making any other changes to the government in Venezuela, actually accomplishes any of those objectives?

Removing Maduro is the obvious first step. A head was needed and since he’s little more than an idiot bus driver then his head was the appropriate catalyst.

You appear to believe that we’re operating under the neocon playbook of Bush43 circa 2004 where we are going to idealistically promote democracy everywhere. We’re not.

The goal is China. That’s it. That’s the 4D chess: shove th Chinese into their own regional box.

Fortunately the Venezuelan population is sick of the Chavistas and wants a return to basic human rights. I expect them to sort it out one way or the other.