The case for cyber pressure against Venezuela

“This Venezuelan government system has been encrypted and locked. To receive the decryption key, remit the required one billion dollars to the United States Treasury Department and comply with the other 12 demands from the U.S., issued in the letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to acting President Delcy Rodriguez on June 1, 2026.”

Though perhaps slightly over the top, such a scenario is not impossible in the coming year. Surprisingly, it might also be a better idea than more traditional military alternatives.

Like it or not (and legal or not), President Trump has now attacked Venezuela and committed to “running” the country for years, promising future military strikes if the Venezuelan government responds insufficiently to demands by the United States. But the U.S. cannot continue to back up such threats indefinitely.

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