分类： politics

In a meticulously planned covert operation dubbed ‘Operation Absolute Resolve,’ United States special forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a dramatic nighttime raid on his Caracas compound. The mission, which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, represents the most significant U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the Cold War era.

According to senior military officials, the operation culminated months of intensive surveillance and strategic planning. Intelligence agents had comprehensively monitored Maduro’s daily routines, sleeping patterns, and even his personal habits. Elite troops constructed a full-scale replica of Maduro’s safe house to perfect their assault strategies, though Congressional leadership remained deliberately uninformed to preserve operational secrecy.

The execution commenced at 22:46 Eastern Time on Friday following presidential authorization. President Trump revealed the mission had experienced multiple postponements, awaiting optimal weather conditions to maximize tactical surprise. General Dan Caine, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, described how forces maintained readiness throughout the holiday period awaiting final execution orders.

The multifaceted assault incorporated over 150 aircraft—including bombers, fighter jets, and reconnaissance planes—alongside ground and naval components. Preliminary strikes targeted Venezuelan air defense systems and military installations, while sophisticated technical operations plunged Caracas into intentional darkness. Residents reported massive explosions shaking the city at approximately 02:00 local time, with subsequent social media footage depicting helicopter formations and rising smoke plumes.

Delta Force operatives, equipped with specialized breaching tools, penetrated Maduro’s heavily fortified compound amidst active resistance. Despite incoming fire that damaged one American helicopter, forces successfully apprehended both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as they attempted to reach a secure room. The captives were transported to U.S. jurisdiction and are expected to face criminal charges in New York.

The operation has triggered immediate international condemnation, particularly from regional powers including Brazil, while generating domestic criticism regarding the bypassing of Congressional authorization. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the secrecy, citing concerns about potential intelligence leaks had legislators been consulted in advance.

China has issued a formal condemnation of United States military operations against Venezuela, characterizing the action as a severe violation of international law and national sovereignty. The statement, delivered through official channels on January 3, 2026, reflects escalating tensions between major global powers over interventionist policies.

The Chinese government emphasized its firm opposition to any unilateral use of force against sovereign states, asserting that such actions undermine the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter. Beijing called for all nations to respect Venezuela’s political independence and territorial integrity while advocating for peaceful dialogue to resolve internal disputes.

This diplomatic rebuke comes amid reports confirming US military strikes against Venezuelan port facilities, operations that Washington reportedly justifies as necessary measures. The Chinese response aligns with its consistent foreign policy stance against external interference in other nations’ domestic affairs, particularly throughout Latin America where China has significantly expanded economic and diplomatic ties in recent years.

The condemnation further highlights the growing geopolitical divide between China and the United States, with Venezuela becoming another flashpoint in their competing visions of international order. Analysts suggest this development may further complicate bilateral relations between the world’s two largest economies, potentially affecting cooperation on other global issues.

In the wake of President Nicolas Maduro’s reported capture by U.S. forces, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez emerges as Venezuela’s potential interim leader. The 56-year-old Caracas native, daughter of left-wing guerrilla fighter Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, has become one of Venezuela’s most influential political figures through her simultaneous control of three critical portfolios: vice presidency, finance ministry, and oil ministry.

Rodriguez’s political ascent has been remarkable. A trained attorney who graduated from Universidad Central de Venezuela, she served as Communication Minister (2013-2014), Foreign Minister (2014-2017), and head of the pro-government Constituent Assembly that expanded Maduro’s powers in 2017. Her appointment as vice president in June 2018 came with Maduro’s personal endorsement as “a young woman, brave, seasoned, daughter of a martyr, revolutionary and tested in a thousand battles.”

Her current economic leadership role has positioned her as a key manager of Venezuela’s crisis-ridden economy, where she has implemented orthodox policies to combat hyperinflation while maintaining influence with the country’s diminished private sector. The August 2024 addition of the oil ministry to her responsibilities placed her at the forefront of managing escalating U.S. sanctions against Venezuela’s most vital industry.

Known for her designer fashion taste and described by Maduro as a “tiger” for her fierce defense of his socialist government, Rodriguez maintains close political coordination with her brother Jorge Rodriguez, who leads the national assembly. Her current whereabouts remain unknown following her Saturday demand via state television for the U.S. government to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife.

In an unprecedented military escalation, United States forces have executed a large-scale strike on Venezuelan territory resulting in the capture and extraction of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The operation, conducted on Saturday, marks a dramatic turning point in the ongoing political confrontation between the two nations.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States would assume control of Venezuela’s governance until what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be guaranteed. Trump specifically highlighted plans for American oil corporations to rehabilitate Venezuela’s deteriorated petroleum infrastructure, stating that these companies would “start making money for the country” through substantial multi-billion dollar investments.

The legal foundation for the intervention stems from indictments issued by the Southern District of New York, charging Maduro and his wife with narcotics and weapons offenses. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi declared that both would face justice within American judicial institutions, though specific trial details remain undisclosed.

Venezuela has responded by declaring a nationwide state of emergency and condemning the military incursion as unlawful aggression. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, despite Trump’s claims of her cooperation, appeared on state television to affirm Maduro as Venezuela’s sole legitimate leader and pledge governmental resistance.

The geopolitical context reveals deeper complexities: Venezuela possesses approximately 303 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, representing roughly 20% of global petroleum resources according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data. The Trump administration has framed its Caribbean military operations as counter-narcotics initiatives, conducting over 30 strikes since September against alleged drug trafficking vessels, though independent verification of these claims remains unavailable.

International observers note that while Venezuela serves as a transit route for narcotics, counter-narcotics experts consistently rank it as a minor participant in global drug trafficking networks. The current crisis represents the most severe escalation in hemispheric relations in recent decades, with uncertain implications for regional stability and international law.

In a dramatic escalation of foreign policy, President Trump has announced the United States will directly administer Venezuela following the successful capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a nighttime military operation in Caracas. The unprecedented move marks a significant departure from Trump’s previous non-interventionist rhetoric and positions America as the temporary governing authority of the South American nation.

Flanked by CIA Director John Ratcliffe at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth would lead a collaborative effort with Venezuelan representatives to oversee the country’s transition. “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” the president declared during a Saturday morning press conference.

This bold intervention represents a stark contradiction to Trump’s campaign promises against “forever wars” and his frequent criticisms of nation-building endeavors. The administration now faces the formidable challenge of reconstructing a nation plagued by economic collapse and decades of political instability, while simultaneously justifying the legal basis for Maduro’s capture on weapons and cocaine trafficking charges.

Trump expressed unwavering confidence in the mission’s success, citing his administration’s “perfect track record of winning.” He outlined plans to engage American energy corporations in rebuilding Venezuela’s deteriorated industrial infrastructure, framing the effort as mutually beneficial for both nations. When questioned about potential military deployment, Trump remained noncommittal, noting “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground…we had boots on the ground last night.

The operation has ignited intense domestic and international debate. Congressional Republicans largely supported the action, with House Speaker Mike Johnson describing it as “decisive and justified” against a “criminal regime.” However, dissenting voices within Trump’s own party, including Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, condemned the intervention as a betrayal of his non-interventionist platform.

Internationally, China’s foreign ministry issued a statement expressing shock and condemning what it characterized as a reckless attack on sovereign territory. The move raises concerns about potential geopolitical ramifications, particularly regarding how other global powers might justify their own military actions based on this precedent.

Trump rebranded the nineteenth-century Monroe Doctrine as the “Donroe Doctrine,” asserting that the operation demonstrates “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again.” He framed the intervention as advancing “America First” priorities by ensuring regional security and securing stable oil resources, while designating the Western Hemisphere as America’s “home region.”

As the administration assumes responsibility for governing Venezuela, questions remain about the practical implementation of this unprecedented undertaking and its long-term implications for international relations and global power dynamics.