What A Day Trump Extracts Oil -- And The Venezuelan President
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Jan 5, 2026 Juan Sebastian Gonzalez, a former National Security Council Senior Director specializing in U.S.-Latin America policy, dives deep into the shocking U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He discusses the stealthy planning behind the raid and the serious drug trafficking charges awaiting Maduro in New York. Gonzalez also explores the varied reactions from Venezuelans and U.S. political circles, laying out potential futures for Venezuela—ranging from a peaceful transition to a violent power struggle.
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U.S. Special Forces Captured Maduro
- The U.S. executed a surprise special-forces operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and his wife and brought them to New York to face federal charges.
- The action raised urgent legal and strategic questions about authority, precedent, and U.S. intentions in Venezuela.
Operation Blurred Law Enforcement And Military Lines
- Juan Sebastian Gonzalez highlights that the operation looked like a law-enforcement arrest but functioned as a military action with major casualties and unclear legal authority.
- He warns the administration seems focused on seizing Venezuela's oil and running the country externally rather than enabling a democratic transition.
A Rare Precedent Without Occupation
- Gonzalez compares the raid's audacity to Panama 1989 but notes it was executed without large-scale occupation, making it a unique modern precedent.
- He says the administration claims it will "run Venezuela" temporarily, signaling de facto U.S. control without clear plans.
