In a dramatic escalation of foreign intervention, the United States has launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing the country's long-serving president, Nicolás Maduro. The audacious raid, which took place overnight on Saturday, 3 January 2026, has plunged the South American nation into a fresh crisis and drawn fierce international criticism.
Operation and Immediate Aftermath
US special forces conducted a targeted assault, knocking out electricity in parts of the capital, Caracas, before locating and detaining President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation was described by US President Donald Trump as "an assault like people have not seen since world war two". He confirmed that Maduro was taken into US custody from one of his safe houses.
In a statement following the capture, President Trump made a stark declaration regarding Venezuela's future. He asserted that the United States would now "run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition". He provided scant details on the nature or timeline of this proposed transition, but suggested US oil companies were ready to invest billions in rebuilding Venezuela's crippled oil industry.
Domestic and Global Reaction
The move has triggered a sharply polarised response. Within the United States, Republican allies and administration officials have defended the action as the enforcement of a 2020 US narco-trafficking indictment against Maduro. However, Democrats on Capitol Hill have condemned it as a dangerous act of imperialism, with some comparing it to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Internationally, the reaction has been one of widespread condemnation. Key global powers, including France, Russia, China, and the European Commission, have accused the United States of blatantly violating international law. Legal experts are questioning the operation's legitimacy, with many stating it represents a severe breach of the UN Charter's principle prohibiting the use of force against sovereign states.
Analysis: A New Doctrine in US Foreign Policy?
This intervention marks a profound and concerning shift in American foreign policy. Analysts suggest the unilateral capture of a foreign leader and the declaration of intent to administer another country represent what some are calling the 'Putinization' of US strategy—prioritising raw power over established international norms and legal frameworks.
The situation remains highly volatile. Venezuelan officials have vowed defiance, while the world watches to see how the US administration will implement its pledge of direct control. The operation, occurring just days into the new year, has set a deeply troubling precedent and raises serious questions about the future of global order and the sanctity of national sovereignty.
