What in the World Venezuela: What just happened?
Jan 5, 2026
Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured amid shocking US strikes on Venezuela, raising numerous questions about legality and international law. The US justifies its actions by linking Maduro to drug trafficking while highlighting Venezuela's oil reserves as a strategic interest. Responses from the Venezuelan public are mixed, reflecting desperation for change and ongoing support for Maduro. Discussions also reveal uncertainty about the future governance of Venezuela and regional anxieties about further US interventions.
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Operation Absolute Resolve Was Planned
- The US launched Operation Absolute Resolve to seize Nicolás Maduro and charge him with drug and weapons offenses.
- The operation followed months of US military positioning and strikes claimed to target drug shipments.
Drug Argument Is Central But Contested
- The Trump administration justified the arrest as necessary for US national security and to stop drugs entering the United States.
- BBC reporting notes the link to US overdose deaths is disputed and much US overdoses are driven by fentanyl not traced to Venezuela.
Legality Of The Strike Is Questionable
- International law likely prohibits unilateral military action inside another state's territory without Security Council approval or self-defence.
- The UN Secretary-General warned the operation sets a dangerous precedent, and legality remains questioned.