Friday World – January 4, 2026
On January 3, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a dramatic large-scale military operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. U.S. forces conducted airstrikes on targets in and around Caracas, followed by a precise special operations raid that extracted the couple, who were flown out of the country to face federal charges in New York related to narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and weapons offenses.
Trump described the mission as a success with no American casualties, involving over 150 aircraft—including fighters, bombers, surveillance planes, and helicopters—in a coordinated effort across multiple U.S. military branches and intelligence agencies. At a press conference from Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated that the United States would "run" Venezuela temporarily until a "safe, proper, and judicious transition" could be achieved, emphasizing that American oil companies would invest billions to repair and restart the country's massive oil infrastructure, which holds the world's largest proven reserves (approximately 303 billion barrels).
This intervention marks the most direct U.S. military action in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, drawing immediate international condemnation from Russia, Cuba, Iran, Mexico, and several Latin American nations as a violation of sovereignty and international law. Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed interim leadership, declared a state of emergency, and denounced the strikes as "brutal aggression." The UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting, while critics labeled it a dangerous precedent reminiscent of past regime-change wars.
→ Within the United States, the operation has ignited fierce political division. Republican leaders and Trump supporters have praised it as a bold strike against a "narco-state" and a step toward combating drug trafficking and restoring democracy. However, Democrats have condemned it as unlawful, unwise, and a return to imperialistic overreach. Former Vice President and Democratic leader **Kamala Harris** issued a strong public statement criticizing the action on social media (X).
Harris stated: "Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable. That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price."
She further argued: "This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies." Harris warned that the operation puts American troops at risk, drains billions in resources, destabilizes the region, and offers no domestic benefits, calling for leadership that prioritizes American families, reduces inflation, upholds the rule of law, and builds strong alliances.
The backlash extends to Capitol Hill, where some lawmakers, including Senator Tim Kaine, have described it as an "illegal war" and pushed for congressional invocation of War Powers resolutions to reassert oversight. Bipartisan concerns focus on the lack of prior notification to Congress and fears of prolonged entanglement or escalation.
Trump administration officials maintain that the strikes targeted Maduro's alleged support for drug cartels like Tren de Aragua and the Cartel de los Soles, framing the capture as justice for narco-terrorism. Yet critics, including Harris, highlight Venezuela's vast oil wealth as the underlying motive, especially amid U.S. energy pressures.
As Maduro faces arraignment in New York and Venezuela grapples with uncertainty, this event has deepened U.S. political polarization. Supporters see it as decisive leadership against authoritarianism and crime; opponents view it as reckless adventurism that could lead to chaos, higher costs, and global instability.
Whether this marks the restoration of democracy in Venezuela or a new chapter of American imperialism remains to be seen. The coming days will reveal if the U.S. commitment to a "temporary" role holds—or if deeper involvement follows.
Friday World – January 4, 2026
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
