The "Capture" of Nicolás Maduro
U.S. Intervention in Venezuela and the Quest for Democracy or Resources?
In the early hours of January 3, 2026, explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, plunging parts of the city into darkness and sparking widespread panic.
Within hours, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his Truth Social platform that American forces had conducted a "large-scale strike" on Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was reportedly flown out of the country in a joint operation involving U.S. military and law enforcement.
This dramatic escalation marks the culmination of months of mounting tensions between the United States and Venezuela, raising questions about the motivations behind the intervention—whether it's a genuine effort to restore democracy or a strategic play for the country's vast natural resources.
Background: A Simmering Crisis
The roots of this conflict trace back to longstanding U.S. sanctions against Maduro's regime, which the Trump administration intensified upon his return to office in 2025. Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013, has been accused by the U.S. of election fraud, human rights abuses, and ties to narcoterrorism.
In late November 2025, Trump issued warnings, including closing Venezuelan airspace to airlines and traffickers, and endorsed pro-democracy candidates in neighboring Honduras to counter Maduro's influence.By December 2025, the U.S. began seizing Venezuelan oil tankers in international waters, labeling them part of a "shadow fleet" evading sanctions.
Reports emerged of CIA and U.S. Special Forces operating inside Venezuela, with ultimatums demanding Maduro's resignation in exchange for safe passage.
Maduro publicly defied these pressures, vowing to "smash the teeth of the North American empire," while some sources claimed he had briefly surrendered and provided evidence against the previous Biden administration regarding migrant gangs.
The situation escalated further with U.S. military deployments, including up to 15,000 troops and naval assets in the region.
Maduro's regime responded by detaining American citizens, using them as leverage amid strikes on drug routes and oil facilities.
By early January 2026, the U.S. had shifted from blockades to direct action, leading to the strikes and Maduro's extraction.
Netanyahu's Influence: Trump Doing Israel's Bidding?
The intervention appears to align closely with Israeli interests, with critics arguing that Trump is essentially carrying out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's agenda. Four days ago, on December 30, 2025, Netanyahu appeared on Fox News with host Greta Van Susteren, spewing inflammatory rhetoric against Venezuela.
He accused Iran of being "in cahoots with the Maduro regime," exporting terrorism not only across the Middle East but directly to Venezuela, and even suggested the possibility of Iranian arms shipments to the South American nation.
Netanyahu emphasized Hezbollah's entrenched presence in Venezuela's drug trade, framing it as a direct threat to both Israel and the U.S., stating:
They may use guns against Israelis, but they use drugs against the United States.
Now, look who's regurgitating this bile. Fox News pundits and commentators have echoed these claims, portraying the U.S. attacks on Venezuela as essential for national security against Hezbollah and Iran, as well as broader threats from Russia and China.
Netanyahu's statements tie Maduro directly to Hamas and Iranian proxies. Netanyahu let slipped why the US needs to attack/regime change Venezuela. It's all for Israel of course.
Trump is prioritizing Israeli security concerns, such as disrupting alleged Iran-Venezuela drone and arms networks, over purely American interests, effectively invading a sovereign nation at Netanyahu's behest.
Democracy Promotion or Resource Grab?
The Trump administration frames the intervention as a victory for democracy. In his announcement, Trump emphasized collaboration with U.S. law enforcement to dismantle Maduro's "narcocommunist" regime, echoing his earlier rhetoric about freeing Venezuela from socialist oppression.
The operation as an infringement on Venezuelan sovereignty, akin to an invasion and kidnapping of a sitting head of state. Maduro was elected in 2018, though the U.S. and many allies deemed the vote fraudulent.
This is a blatant disregard for international norms, the US has no respect to the sovereignty of the people of Venezuela. This isn't the first time U.S. “intervenes” in Latin America, is this truly about democracy or a modern form of imperialism.
Central to the debate is Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world. Trump has openly tied the conflict to resources, stating in December 2025 that the U.S. would keep or sell oil from seized tankers, claiming Venezuela had "stolen" American assets through nationalizations decades ago.
He has admitted interest in Venezuelan oil for U.S. corporations, echoing past comments where he suggested military action could secure resources "right there for the taking." Economists and experts dispute claims of theft, noting that Venezuela's 1970s nationalizations involved compensation to U.S. firms like ExxonMobil. Nonetheless, the blockade and seizures have raised legal questions, with Venezuela accusing the U.S. of piracy.
Iran, another sovereign nation rich in oil, is next. Trump has already been manufacturing consent for an attack.
Maduro himself portrayed the U.S. actions as resource-driven aggression in defiant speeches before his capture.
Global Reactions and Implications
The international community is divided. Allies like Colombia and Brazil have expressed cautious support for democratic transitions, while Russia and China—key Maduro backers—condemned the strikes as violations of international law.
Venezuela's future remains uncertain. With Maduro now captured, the U.S. and its allies will install their Zionist puppet, María Corina Machado, as the new leader.
Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner and a vocal opposition figure, has been accused of being a U.S. and Israeli proxy, with pledges to restore ties with Israel, move Venezuela's embassy to Jerusalem, and align the country with Western interests.
This move would hand over Venezuela's resources to American corporations while serving Netanyahu's broader agenda against Iran and its allies.
Interim leadership could emerge under her, potentially leading to new elections, but the intervention risks deepening divisions and instability. Civil war will most likely breakout. Oil prices surged in response to the news, underscoring the economic stakes.
This event exemplifies America's stealing resources under the guise of bringing “democracy”.
We are literally terrorists along with “israel”
Fuck “israel” and fuck MAGA
The toddler pressing red buttons.