Serbia’s Vučić is playing a dangerous double game: while America under Trump boldly crushes Maduro’s narco-terror empire in Venezuela, Belgrade’s strongman whines about “international law” being dead, echoes Putin and Xi, and still calls the fugitive dictator his “great friend” — proving once and for all he’s choosing autocrats over allies, and it’s high time Washington stops bankrolling this backstabbing Balkan hedge.
by Elmi Berisha (New York) | 5 January 2026
BELGRADE’S BACKSTAB: While President Trump flexes America’s muscle, snatching Venezuelan tyrant Nicolás Maduro like a bad guy in a blockbuster flick, Serbia’s slippery leader Aleksandar Vučić is throwing a hissy fit. “Anti-American! Pro-Maduro!” That’s the blistering takedown from Learta Hollaj, top aide to Kosovo’s president, and boy, does she nail it. Vučić’s ranting about “international law” being trashed? Spare us the crocodile tears – this guy’s cozying up to dictators faster than you can say “fentanyl flood.”
Flash back to August 2025: Trump’s crew slaps a whopping $50 million bounty on Maduro’s head for his narco-terror empire. What does Vučić do? Picks up the phone, chats with the Venezuelan thug, and gushes on Instagram: “A great friend of Serbia!” Yeah, because Maduro’s regime won’t recognize Kosovo’s independence. Talk about quid pro quo in the autocrat club. Hollaj’s thread on X blasts this as Vučić showing his “true colours” – admiration for strongmen who thumb their noses at Uncle Sam.
And now? After U.S. forces storm Caracas on January 3, 2026, in a lightning op that has Maduro cooling his heels in a New York cell, awaiting trial for flooding our streets with poison, Vučić convenes his National Security Council and whines: “International public law no longer exists!” Boo-hoo. He’s echoing the Kremlin and Beijing’s playbook, slamming Trump’s “large scale strike” as the end of the UN order. Serbia, a wannabe EU member sucking up Western cash, suddenly sounds like Putin’s parrot.
Hollaj’s got the receipts: Vučić’s praise for Maduro isn’t some slip-up; it’s “deliberate political signaling.” Serbia’s militarizing its borders, beefing up with Russian arms and Chinese loans, all while badmouthing “Western-aligned neighbors” like Kosovo. Kosovo, remember, owes its freedom to America’s 1999 NATO bombs that booted Slobodan Milošević’s goons. Today, Prishtina’s cheering Trump’s Venezuela takedown as proof the U.S. still has the guts to crush tyrants. President Vjosa Osmani and PM Albin Kurti are all-in: “America’s resolve against narco-terrorism is a beacon!”
But Vučić? He’s choosing sides, alright – with the losers. This ain’t neutral; it’s a slap in Trump’s face. DC, are you listening? Serbia’s playing footsie with U.S. foes. Russia’s got its hooks in Belgrade deep – think energy deals and military parades. China? Pouring billions into infrastructure, turning Serbia into a Balkan Belt and Road pit stop. Iran? Whispers of drone tech swaps. And Maduro? The cherry on this anti-American sundae.
Think about it: While Trump’s draining the swamp in Caracas, vowing to “take charge” if Venezuela’s remnants resist, Vučić’s defense of the “narco-terrorist regime” emboldens every rogue state. Hollaj warns this reveals Serbia’s foreign policy when “choices matter.” Spot on. Serbia’s hedging – EU dreams by day, dictator dalliances by night – risks the Balkans becoming a powder keg for Russian and Chinese meddling.
Congress, time to act. Slap amendments on aid bills: No more U.S. dough for Belgrade until Vučić cuts the Maduro love and recognizes Kosovo. Think tanks like Jamestown are sounding alarms – Serbia’s a “Trojan horse” for autocrats. Even ex-Serbian prez Boris Tadić piles on, calling the U.S. move a “breach,” but that’s just domestic unity masking the rot.
Vučić claims he wants “friendly relations” with America. Ha! Actions scream louder. His regime’s gripped Serbia like a vise: Protests rage over corruption, media muzzling, and that deadly mine collapse last November killing 16. Students blockade unis, chanting for his head. The New York Post’s own op-eds have called him a “strongman” who needs Western nudges to succeed – but if he’s biting the hand that feeds, maybe it’s time to yank the leash.
Trump’s America First means dumping deadweight allies. Kosovo’s loyal; Serbia’s flaky. Hollaj’s thread? A wake-up call. DC, don’t let Vučić’s double-dealing slide. Pressure the EU to freeze Serbia’s accession talks. Hit ’em where it hurts – arms sales, investments. Make Belgrade choose: Trump’s triumph or Maduro’s misery.
In this new world order, where Trump’s remaking maps from Venezuela to maybe Mexico next, fair-weather friends like Vučić are liabilities. Hollaj’s point lands like a gut punch: Serbia’s anti-U.S. tilt damages our security. Time to tell Belgrade: Shape up or ship out. America’s back – and we don’t tolerate hypocrites in the tent.
About the author:
Elmi Berisha is a prominent Albanian-American community leader and businessman based in the New York area, best known as the President of the Pan-Albanian Federation of America “Vatra” (Federata Panshqiptare e Amerikës VATRA), the oldest Albanian patriotic organization in the United States, founded in 1912.
ISSN: 3070-2186