On January 3, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the leader of Venezuela, during a military operation characterized by extensive planning and execution involving over 150 aircraft. This operation, termed 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' has raised serious concerns regarding its legality and the implications for Venezuelan sovereignty.

Following the military action, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were transported to New York, where they face federal charges related to narcoterrorism. The operation has been described as a significant display of U.S. military power, with Trump asserting that the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela until a stable transition could occur. However, this claim has been met with skepticism, as critics argue that it reflects a broader agenda of regime change rather than a genuine concern for the Venezuelan populace.

The military operation has sparked protests across the United States, with demonstrators condemning the U.S. actions as imperialistic and motivated by a desire to control Venezuela's vast oil resources. Organizers of the protests, including groups like The People's Forum and the ANSWER Coalition, have characterized the military intervention as an attempt to exploit Venezuela's natural wealth rather than a legitimate effort to combat drug trafficking or promote democracy.

Internationally, the operation has drawn condemnation from various countries, including Russia, China, and several Latin American nations, which have labeled the U.S. actions as violations of international law and an infringement on Venezuela's sovereignty. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has also expressed alarm over the military intervention, emphasizing the need for dialogue rather than aggression in resolving conflicts.

In the aftermath of Maduro's capture, Delcy Rodríguez has been appointed as the interim president by the Venezuelan Supreme Court, although she has publicly rejected U.S. claims of legitimacy and called for Maduro's immediate release. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the future governance of Venezuela and the potential humanitarian implications of U.S. military actions.

The U.S. government's focus on Venezuela's oil reserves has raised ethical questions about the motivations behind such military interventions, particularly given the historical context of U.S. involvement in Latin America. Critics argue that the prioritization of corporate interests over humanitarian concerns could exacerbate the existing crises faced by the Venezuelan people, who are already suffering from severe economic hardships and political repression.

As the situation unfolds, the implications of U.S. military actions in Venezuela continue to reverberate, raising critical questions about the future of democracy, sovereignty, and human rights in the region.