I believe it could be possible to empower locals in their best interests but with strict measures to ensure integrity.
The situation in Venezuela has become much more dire because of sanctions so it's rather counter productive. All recent US military interventions that I have seen are mining company motivated. Neither of these options help the peoples quality of life.
It can be very easy for greed and corruption to impact the motives for intervening directly or indirectly, hence the priority on the needs of the people as they see it.