Friday World – January 3, 2026
January 3, 2026, marks a dark chapter in world history.
American President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that U.S. elite special forces (Delta Force) carried out a large-scale military strike on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flying them out of the country to face trial in the United States. This was no ordinary arrest – it was an open abduction of an elected leader from a sovereign nation.
Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez** immediately labeled the operation an "international kidnapping" on state television, demanding immediate "proof of life" for Maduro and Flores. The global community reacted with shock and condemnation, as explosions rocked Caracas and military sites early that morning, with reports of helicopters, airstrikes, and fires at key bases like Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota.
This event is the latest example of America's longstanding foreign policy tradition**, where "national security" or "narco-terrorism" pretexts are used to remove leaders of other countries. The U.S. accused Maduro of leading the "Cartel de los Soles," designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 2025. However, many analysts argue the real motive is control over Venezuela's vast oil reserves – the world's largest proven reserves, estimated at around 300 billion barrels.
The Trump administration had already escalated pressure** before the strike: imposing blockades on Venezuelan oil tankers, launching dozens of attacks on suspected drug vessels (resulting in over 100 deaths), and placing a $50 million bounty on Maduro's head. After the capture, Trump openly stated that the U.S. would now "strongly participate" in Venezuela's oil industry.
This is not an isolated incident.** History shows America has repeatedly resorted to coups, invasions, and regime changes to protect its economic interests:
Iraq (2003): False claims of "weapons of mass destruction" led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. The result? Millions of Iraqi deaths, national devastation, the rise of Iran-backed groups and Al-Qaeda, and strengthened U.S. corporate control over Iraqi oil fields worth billions.
Egypt (2013): After the Arab Spring, the U.S. quietly supported the military coup against elected President Mohamed Morsi, paving the way for a military regime that continues to receive American aid.
Syria (2011–present): Over 15 years of civil war fueled by U.S. arms supplies to opposition groups. Initially, Abu Mohammad al-Julani (now Ahmad al-Sharaa) was labeled a terrorist with a $10 million bounty, but after Assad's fall in 2024, the bounty was lifted. In 2025, Trump met Julani, removed sanctions, and hailed Syria as a "partner for peace." Now, Julani is a U.S.-Israel-recognized figure, with ongoing supplies of weapons and access to oil fields.
In Africa, the pattern repeats** – Libya (2011) saw Gaddafi's overthrow, leading to prolonged civil war and indirect U.S. influence over gold mines and other resources in several countries.
Is this a "humanitarian" system? Or pure imperialist plunder?**
America portrays itself as the "defender of democracy," yet when oil, minerals, or geopolitical gains are at stake, sovereignty, international law, and countless innocent lives are sacrificed. The Venezuela case proves that even in 2026, "brute force" can still conquer the world – as long as it serves American interests.
The world must now ask:** Is this the "new world order," where powerful nations openly kidnap leaders of weaker ones? Or the final link in a chain of plunder disguised as humanitarianism? The time has come for the global community to unite against this imperialism – otherwise, anyone could be the next target.
Friday World – January 3, 2026
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
