On Jan. 3, the U.S. launched Operation Absolute Resolve. The operation was a large-scale mission in Venezuela with the primary goal of capturing President Nicolás Maduro and removing him from power.
The operation consisted of airstrikes and a direct raid on Maduro’s house in the Fort Tiuna military complex. At around 3:20 a.m., President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife had arrived at an airbase in New York. On Jan. 5, they both pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including those of narco-terrorism and even some cocaine transportation.
Ever since his election in 2013, Maduro has established himself as an authoritarian ruler with multiple accusations of corruption and coalitions with drug cartels. These coalitions include investigating Maduro’s connection to the Cartel de los Soles. Maduro was alleged to have facilitated the organization’s transport of drugs in and out of Venezuela, according to U.S. authorities. Another key event in Maduro’s time of rule was the 2024 elections, which were widely considered fraudulent.
Many Venezuelans, both inside and outside of the country, have stated their opposition to Maduro’s rule. Ever since Maduro took office, Venezuela has been in a constant state of humanitarian crisis with food shortages, hyperinflation and a collapse in the health system.
After Trump’s announcement, social media and news outlets were flooded with mixed opinions about the operation. Most Venezuelans still living in the country took to the streets with phones and flags in hand to celebrate. However, there was a large wave of Venezuelans living in the U.S. that addressed the fact Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez was still in charge with no signs of giving up power.
As for U.S. citizens, there has been a great deal of debate over whether the U.S. should have involved itself in international manners in such a way. Those against argue that intervening in another country is illegal and violent, while those who favor it argue that Venezuela was in a crisis and needed international help.
However, many Latin American countries have spoken against the U.S. actions calling them reckless and the cause of regional instability. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also condemned the invasion of Venezuela.
