Alberta West News: War in Venezuela

Overview

As of January 3, 2026, the geopolitical landscape in Venezuela has undergone a dramatic and unprecedented transformation. The United States conducted a major military operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, targeting multiple locations across northern Venezuela including the capital Caracas. This marks the most significant direct U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 Panama invasion.cbsnews+1

The Operation

In the early morning hours of January 3, 2026, the U.S. military—specifically the Army's elite Delta Force—captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation lasted approximately 30 minutes and involved coordinated air, land, and sea strikes. President Trump confirmed the captures on social media, stating that "all Venezuelan military capacities were rendered powerless" and characterizing the operation as "one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and confidence in American history."wikipedia+1

Key Targets Hit

According to Venezuelan opposition sources, the strikes targeted critical military and infrastructure locations:cbsnews+1

Fuerte Tiuna (main military base in Caracas)
La Carlota airbase
El Volcán signal antenna facility
La Guaira Port on the Caribbean coast

Multiple explosions rocked Caracas, with smoke and fireballs visible from military installations, and parts of the capital lost power. The U.S. reported no American service member deaths, though some were injured when a helicopter was struck.wikipedia+1

Context: Months of Military Buildup

This operation culminates months of escalating U.S. pressure on the Maduro regime:nytimes+2

The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and numerous other warships were positioned in the Caribbean, creating what Trump described as "the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America."cbsnews
Since September 2025, the U.S. military conducted over 30 strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats, resulting in more than 110 deaths.nytimes+1
In October 2025, the Trump administration authorized CIA covert operations in Venezuela.nytimes
The administration doubled the bounty on Maduro to $50 million and seized oil tankers off Venezuelan shores.cbsnews

The Stated Rationale

The Trump administration has long accused Maduro of heading a "narco-terrorist state," with allegations centered on drug trafficking and connections to designated terrorist organizations—accusations Maduro has consistently denied. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the regime as "illegitimate," uncooperative, and actively supporting terrorist and criminal elements.abcnews.go+2

However, Trump's public justifications have shifted. Initial statements focused on drug trafficking; later rhetoric emphasized Venezuela's alleged theft of U.S. assets, with Trump declaring in December 2025: "Until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."cbsnews

Venezuela's Response

The Venezuelan government immediately declared a national state of emergency and called for international opposition:wikipedia

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced military deployments across the country and declared that Venezuela "will prevail...will not negotiate...will not surrender."aljazeera
The government called the strikes "extremely serious military aggression" and demanded a UN Security Council convening.bbc+1
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez—who would assume the presidency under Venezuelan law—demanded "proof of life" for Maduro and his wife.aljazeera
Authorities called for public mobilization, urging citizens to resist "imperialist aggression."news.sky

U.S. Plans for Governance

Trump stated the U.S. would be "very strongly involved" in Venezuela's oil sector and declared that the United States would "run" the country on a temporary basis "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." Secretary of State Rubio indicated that "no further action in Venezuela" is anticipated now that Maduro is in U.S. custody.aljazeera+1

Maduro and Flores are en route to New York to face charges of narcoterrorism and drug trafficking.aljazeera+1

International Reaction

World leaders have reacted with alarm and concern. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern about the developments, and several nations have questioned the legal basis for unilateral military strikes against another sovereign nation.reuters+3

Key Uncertainties

As of January 3, 2026, several critical questions remain unresolved: the extent of civilian casualties, the status of Venezuela's armed forces' continued resistance, the duration and scope of U.S. military occupation, and how international institutions will respond to what many view as a violation of international law and sovereignty.npr

This represents an extraordinary shift in U.S. policy toward Latin America, with profound implications for regional stability and international precedent.

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Saturday, January 3, 2026

War in Venezuela