US attack on Venezuela is not a ‘repeat’ of Iraq: LittleproudRia PandeyNewsWireMon, 5 January 2026 6:29AM
Nationals leader David Littleproud says he does not believe Donald Trump wants to repeat the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, after the American administration’s bombing of Venezuela.
On Sunday, the US said it had conducted a “large-scale strike” across Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, during which it had captured the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
Mr Trump has accused Mr Maduro of being “the kingpin of a vast criminal network responsible for trafficking colossal amounts of deadly and illicit drugs into the United States”.
He said the US would run Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition”.
The forced regime change in Venezuela has drawn comparisons to the invasion of Iraq more than two decades ago, when then-president George W. Bush aimed to “liberate” the Iraqi population from the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.
The war – deemed illegal under international law – ultimately led to the death and displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, and led to the rise of violent insurgencies, including the Islamic State.
However, Mr Trump has refused to explain how the forced regime change in Venezuela will be different to Iraq, instead telling the Atlantic: “I didn’t do Iraq. That was Bush. You’ll have to ask Bush that question, because we should have never gone into Iraq. That started the Middle East disaster.”
Asked on Monday what Australia’s position on the attack should be, given the US is one of the nation’s strongest allies, Mr Littleproud told Sunrise: “Obviously we should be happy that an illegitimate, brutal dictator has been removed. But it is important that the sovereignty of Venezuela is respected.”
“And that, I think, is where the world is looking, waiting with bated breath around what the next move is of the Trump administration,” he said.
“I don’t think the Trump administration wants to repeat Iraq. I think they would prefer to work cooperatively with the new administration in Venezuela.”
Mr Littleproud said was important the Venezuelan people had “their say” and that the country’s sovereignty was respected.”And this should be more than about oil or drugs. This should be about making returning the country of Venezuela back to its people,” he said.
“And I think that’s the clear pathway that the Trump administration will need to be able to articulate.”
Originally published as US attack on Venezuela is not a ‘repeat’ of Iraq: Littleproud
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