The world was shaken Saturday when U.S. forces acting on orders from President Donald Trump carried out strikes in Venezuela and captured that country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife. Maduro was flown to the United States to face federal charges, a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations that few expected just days ago.
The surprise military raid, named Operation Absolute Resolve by U.S. officials, involved coordinated airstrikes and a special forces assault on Maduro’s compound in Caracas. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into custody and transported under heavy security to New York, where they have been indicted on charges including drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Maduro pleaded not guilty in federal court, describing his detention as a kidnapping and asserting he remains Venezuela’s legitimate leader. The move followed months of escalating U.S. pressure on Venezuela over alleged drug trafficking and other threats. The Trump administration framed the operation as necessary to enforce longstanding indictments against Maduro and his inner circle.
Jack Ryan clip about Venezuela gets viral amids capture of Nicolàs Maduro.pic.twitter.com/gqiGqCqaki
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 4, 2026
Critics both inside and outside the U.S. have raised concerns about the legality of a military action on foreign soil without clear United Nations backing or congressional authorization. President Trump suggested the United States might oversee Venezuela in the short term and tap into its vast oil resources to help rebuild the country’s infrastructure.
This line of thinking echoes a 2019 scene from the Amazon Prime Video show Jack Ryan, where the fictional analyst warns that “Venezuela is arguably the single greatest source of oil and minerals on the planet,” a clip that has gone viral amid the real-world crisis.
Inside Venezuela, the situation remains tense. Interim president Delcy Rodríguez has denounced the U.S. action as illegal, and armed groups known as “colectivos” are patrolling Caracas, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and instability. News of casualties linked to the U.S. assault, including dozens of Venezuelan security personnel and civilians, has sparked domestic mourning and international criticism.
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) January 3, 2026
The military operation has divided public opinion in the United States as well, with a recent poll showing a minority of Americans supports the move, while a majority worries the U.S. could become too deeply involved in Venezuelan affairs.
As the legal and diplomatic fallout continues, the world is watching how this unprecedented action will shape U.S.-Latin America relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.
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