Oil Control Sparks Outrage

Industrial pipes extending towards the horizon over water during sunset

A daring U.S. military operation captures Nicolás Maduro, sparking debates on America’s foreign policy motives.

Story Snapshot

U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026.
The operation was framed as a counter-narcotics action by the Trump administration.
Critics view this as a regime change under the guise of the drug war.
Control over Venezuelan oil sales was claimed by the U.S. post-operation.

Operation Details and Implications

On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces executed a military raid in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This operation, labeled as a counter-narcotics mission by the Trump administration, was aimed at dismantling the so-called “narco-terrorism” led by Maduro and his allies. Trump’s administration had previously indicted Maduro on charges of leading the “Cartel de los Soles,” intensifying efforts with a $50 million bounty on his head.

The operation has been met with mixed reactions. While mainstream media aligns with the narrative of a lawful anti-drug operation, critics argue that this is an example of “statecraft by indictment,” masking the U.S.’s true intentions of regime change. The military strategy avoided full-scale invasion, favoring hybrid tactics combining legal, economic, and military measures to exert control over Venezuela without direct occupation.

Background and Context

The U.S.-Venezuela tensions have deep roots, tracing back to the Bolivarian Revolution led by Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. Sanctions and geopolitical strategies under Trump’s first term escalated, especially concerning oil, migration, and alleged foreign influences from Russia and China. The pretext of the drug war revives historical intervention patterns in Latin America, reminiscent of past strategies like the 1980s Contra aid and Plan Colombia.

The fall of the Bolivarian regime is seen as a significant shift in regional power dynamics. The failed recognition of Juan Guaidó in 2019 as Venezuela’s legitimate president set the stage for more aggressive actions. Economic sanctions crippled Venezuela’s oil exports, and indictments in 2020 accused Maduro of a vast cocaine trafficking scheme.

Current Developments and Reactions

Following Maduro’s capture, he and his wife were transported to the U.S., facing narco-terrorism trials in New York. Meanwhile, the U.S. has assumed control over Venezuelan oil sales, asserting dominance in the region. President Trump has declared the operation a success and issued warnings to other regional leaders, reinforcing the message of U.S. power.

Venezuela remains in a state of political and economic uncertainty. The hybrid pressure strategy continues without full military occupation, keeping regional adversaries on edge. The operation’s success has raised questions about the future of U.S. foreign policy and its implications for regional stability, particularly in the context of the Monroe Doctrine revival.