In a dramatic and unprecedented escalation of U.S.–Latin American relations, President Donald Trump announced early on January 3, 2026, that the United States had carried out a “large scale strike” on Venezuela, captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and would assume temporary governance of the country. This unfolding situation marks one of the most significant international military actions by the United States in decades—and has already triggered global political tension, legal debates, and reactions across the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
🛫 What Happened: The U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela
According to U.S. government announcements on Saturday, American forces conducted a coordinated military operation inside Venezuelan territory pre‑dawn on January 3, 2026. Explosions rocked Caracas and other nearby regions, with low‑flying aircraft reported and smoke seen rising above strategic military installations.
President Trump said the operation targeted key locations across northern Venezuela and culminated in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, both of whom were taken out of the country and flown to New York.
U.S. officials, including President Trump, described the mission as highly successful with no American fatalities (although some U.S. troops were reportedly injured during the operation).
This operation appears to be part of what U.S. sources describe as “Operation Absolute Resolve,” a coordinated airstrike and special forces campaign ordered by the Trump administration.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Declaration: “We’re Going to Run the Country”
In a post‑operation press conference, President Trump stated emphatically that the United States would “run Venezuela” until what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition of power” can occur. He said that the U.S. could not risk instability or another regime taking control that might not have Venezuelans’ best interests at heart.
Trump also indicated that American involvement would extend into Venezuela’s critical oil infrastructure, with U.S. oil companies expected to enter the country to repair and monetize its energy assets once under safer conditions.
This assertion of governance over a sovereign nation is extraordinarily rare and raises critical questions about international law, sovereignty, and U.S. military policy.
📜 Why This Happened: Background and Precipitating Events
The Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Maduro had been intensifying for months prior to these developments. Tensions escalated through several stages:
✔ Accusations of Narco‑Terrorism
The U.S. had for years accused the Maduro regime of involvement in drug trafficking and “narco‑terrorism,” particularly through the so‑called Cartel of the Suns — a Venezuelan enterprise allegedly linked to the military hierarchy. Maduro and other officials had been indicted in U.S. courts, with a $50 million reward offered for information leading to his arrest.
✔ Previous U.S. Military Actions
In late 2025, the U.S. launched strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats and facilities believed to be linked to Venezuelan criminal networks — moves that foreshadowed a deeper intervention.
✔ Political Crisis in Venezuela
Maduro’s government has faced longstanding political opposition within Venezuela and abroad. After disputed elections in 2024, the opposition claimed significant victories, but Maduro remained in power, deepening the political divide in the country.
🌎 International Reaction: Support & Condemnation
The U.S. action has sparked widespread global response:
🌐 Strong Condemnation
France, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, and China have criticized the U.S. military operation as a violation of international law and a dangerous precedent in diplomatic relations.
The United Nations Secretary‑General called for restraint and diplomatic resolution, warning that military intervention undermines the UN Charter.
🤝 Support and Conditional Approval
Some international voices have supported removal of Maduro, pointing to Venezuela’s struggle with authoritarian governance, economic collapse, and humanitarian crisis.
Venezuelan opposition leaders, including Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, have voiced openness to leadership change and political transition following the capture of Maduro.
This polarizing global reaction highlights the complexity of modern geopolitics and the deep divisions over the legitimacy of foreign military intervention.
📍 What Happens Next: Venezuela’s Future Under U.S. Oversight
🛠 Transitional Governance
Trump insists that American forces will oversee governance “until such time as a safe, proper, and judicious transition” can occur. This implies a period of temporary U.S. administrative and security control, a scenario without recent precedent in the Western Hemisphere.
🛢 Oil and Economic Interests
American oil companies could play a significant role in rebuilding Venezuela’s energy infrastructure — the backbone of its economy — once governance structures are stabilized. Trump said U.S. involvement in the oil sector will be “very strong.”
⚖️ Legal Proceedings
Both Maduro and Flores are expected to face U.S. courts on charges related to narcotics and corruption, with Attorney General Pam Bondi promising they will face “the full wrath of American justice.”
🇻🇪 Venezuelan Political Landscape
Even amid U.S. governance, constitutional law in Venezuela suggests that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would be next in the line of succession — though U.S. involvement might complicate or override domestic constitutional processes.
📊 Strategic and Historical Implications
This intervention is the most direct U.S. military action in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, which resulted in the capture of Manuel Noriega. Comparisons to that event — where the U.S. deposed a national leader — are already being made by analysts and world leaders.
⚖️ International Law and Sovereignty
Legal scholars are debating the legitimacy of Trump’s actions under international law — particularly principles of sovereignty and the prohibition of force except in self‑defense or under UN Security Council authorization.
🌏 Regional Stability
Latin American nations are deeply split — some warning this could destabilize the region, others hoping it leads to democratic renewal in Venezuela.
📌 Key Takeaways
U.S. forces captured Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a coordinated military operation on January 3, 2026.
President Trump announced that the U.S. will “run Venezuela” temporarily to ensure a stable transition.
American involvement may extend into reconstruction of the oil sector and political governance.
Global reaction is deeply divided, with some states condemning the action as unlawful and others cautiously supportive of regime change.
Maduro and his wife face legal proceedings in the U.S. under drug and corruption charges.
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