The world awoke to a stunning shock over the weekend: a direct military intervention by the United States in Venezuela. Caracas, the nation’s capital, endured a surprise aerial assault, followed by a daring special forces operation targeting the presidential residence.
The operation’s objective was swift and decisive – the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Both were swiftly transported to New York City, where they now face a barrage of criminal allegations, prominently including charges related to drug trafficking.
Maduro, defiant even in captivity, has vehemently denied all accusations leveled against him. He insists he is not a criminal, but a “prisoner of war,” a statement that immediately ignited international debate and condemnation from allies.
President Trump has publicly declared the US intention to administer Venezuela during a period of “orderly transition.” This assertion, delivered with characteristic bluntness, has been accompanied by stark warnings to interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.
Rodriguez now faces the threat of escalating consequences should she oppose Washington’s directives. The stakes are incredibly high, with the US signaling a willingness to impose a “bigger price” for any resistance to its control.
Central to the US strategy is control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Trump has stated that the interim authorities will be compelled to relinquish between 30 and 50 million barrels of “high-quality, sanctioned oil” directly to the United States.
Despite the overwhelming pressure, Rodriguez has vowed to resist a return to colonial subjugation. She declared that Venezuela “will never return to being the colony of another empire,” a powerful statement of national resolve.
However, Rodriguez also hinted at a willingness to engage in “cooperation” with Washington, suggesting a complex and precarious path forward. This delicate balancing act underscores the immense pressure facing Venezuela’s leadership.
