The operation, dubbed "Absolute Resolve," unfolded over the weekend when U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes on targets in Caracas before raiding Maduro's compound in the early hours of January 3. President Donald Trump announced the success of the mission from Mar-a-Lago, stating that the U.S. is now effectively "in charge" of Venezuela's future, with demands for the expulsion of Iranian and Hezbollah influences, an end to drug trafficking, and reforms to migration patterns.
Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has softened her initial defiant tone, raising prospects for dialogue while forming a commission to negotiate Maduro's release. However, pro-Maduro protests erupted in Caracas yesterday, with armed militias demanding freedom for the couple. International reactions remain mixed: allies like Cuba reported 32 of its citizens killed in the raids and declared mourning, while Maduro's opponents and Venezuelan diaspora celebrated in some areas.
President Trump has warned of potential further actions, including against neighboring Colombia if cooperation is not forthcoming, and emphasized U.S. intentions to leverage Venezuela's vast oil reserves through investments by American companies.
This bold move marks a dramatic escalation in U.S. foreign policy under the second Trump administration, raising questions about international law, regional stability, and the future of Latin American relations. Markets have reacted with volatility—gold and the dollar rising amid safe-haven demands—while oil prices fluctuate on prospects of renewed Venezuelan production.
Stay tuned as this story develops rapidly. The implications for global geopolitics, energy markets, and U.S. midterm elections in 2026 could be profound.
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