🌎 What Happened in Venezuela?

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In the early hours of January 3, 2026, the United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela that involved airstrikes and targeted attacks on military and government positions in and around Caracas. U.S. officials confirmed that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during the operation and flown to the United States to face criminal charges. CBS News+1

According to U.S. statements, elite units such as Delta Force carried out the mission during a surprise raid, resulting in the removal of Maduro from power. After the strike, Maduro arrived in New York where he is set to appear in federal court and face charges including drug trafficking and narco-terrorism as described by U.S. prosecutors — allegations Maduro denies. CBS News+1

🇻🇪 Venezuela’s Political Turmoil

With Maduro in U.S. custody, Venezuela’s Supreme Court declared Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, although she and other Maduro loyalists continue to assert that he remains the legitimate leader. China Daily

The sudden removal of the president has led to chaos and uncertainty in Venezuela, with reports of infrastructure damage, power outages, and widespread fear among the population after aircraft attacked key installations. India Today

🌍 Global Reaction

The international response has been deeply divided:

✊ Condemnation

  • Russia strongly condemned the operation as “armed aggression” against a sovereign state and urged restraint. Times of Earth

  • China labeled the strikes a violation of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty. The Week

  • Brazil’s President Lula da Silva called the attack an “unacceptable line” and dangerous precedent. The Week

  • Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated the intervention violated international law. Reuters

🤝 Mixed and Supportive Voices

  • Some opposition figures within Venezuela welcomed the outcome as a chance for democratic renewal. New York Post

  • A small number of global leaders expressed cautious support for pursuing peace and democratic transition. The Guardian

The United Nations Security Council has been pushed toward an emergency session to address the legality and implications of the U.S. action. The Guardian

⚖️ Legal and Ethical Questions

Experts and global actors are intensely debating whether the U.S. strike and removal of a sitting president without UN Security Council authorization violates international law. Critics argue it sets a dangerous precedent for sovereign nations, while supporters claim the move targeted criminal activity and narcotrafficking networks. AP News+1

The operation marks one of the most direct military interventions by the U.S. in Latin America in decades, drawing comparisons to past actions like the 1989 capture of Manuel Noriega in Panama. AP News

🌐 What This Means Going Forward

The situation remains fluid and unpredictable:

  • Leadership vacuum in Venezuela could lead to power struggles within the military and political elite. The Economic Times

  • Humanitarian and security concerns are rising as Venezuelans cope with infrastructure damage and fear of further conflict. India Today

  • Global diplomatic tensions are increasing as countries choose sides on the U.S. intervention and its implications for international norms. Foreign Policy

🧠 Final Thoughts

This event shakes the foundations of modern geopolitics:

  • At its heart is not just the capture of a president, but a storm of legal, ethical, and regional security questions that will reverberate across Latin America and the world for years to come. 

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