U.S. Military Captures Venezuelan President Maduro in Overnight Operation

"...In the dead of night during the holidays..."

"...intent on seizing its leader on the pretext that he is wanted in U.S. courts on drug charges..."

"...Many people in the Americas waking up on Jan. 3, 2026, may have been feeling a sense of déjà vu..."

"...Images of dark U.S. helicopters flying over a Latin American capital seemed, until recently, like a bygone relic of American imperialism – incongruous since the end of the Cold War..."

"...recalls an earlier era of U.S. foreign policy..."

"...a blatant sign of the Trump administration’s aggressive but unfocused might-makes-right approach to Latin America..."

"...It eschews the diplomatic approach that has been the hallmark of inter-American relations for decades..."

"...Instead, it reverts to an earlier period when gunboats — yesteryear’s choppers — sought to achieve U.S. political aims in a neighboring region that American officials treated as the “American lake”..."

"...fits this new policy pivot..."

"...Apparently, Trump’s officials paid that historical demarcation little heed..."

"...lays bare that the primary goal of a monthslong campaign of American military attacking alleged drug ships and oil tankers was always likely regime change..."

"...rather than making any real dent in the amount of illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores..."

"...As it is, next to no fentanyl leaves Venezuela, and most Venezuelan cocaine heads to Europe, anyway..."

"...Trump no doubt wants to avoid another Iraq War disaster..."

"...Simply plucking Maduro out of Caracas does not do that..."

"...Regime change would require installing those who legitimately won the 2024 election..."

"...With Trump weighing the demands of two groups – anti-leftist hawks in Washington and an anti-interventionist base of MAGA supporters – a power struggle in Washington could emerge..."

"...It will be decided by men who may have overlapping but different reasons for action in Venezuela..."

"...Trump, a transactional leader who seemingly has eyes on Venezuela’s oil..."

"...Decades of U.S. policy toward neighbors in the south have been ripped up..."

"...The capture of Maduro could displace millions more Venezuelans and destabilize neighboring countries..."

"...certainly it will affect their relationship with Washington..."

"...the concern is that less attention has been paid to an equally important aspect: what happens next..."