Maduro Kidnapped and Latin America in Check

In the early hours of January 3, 2026, the world watched in horror as international law was finally dismantled. In an operation worthy of the worst Cold War films, Donald Trump, the self-proclaimed "world sheriff," launched "Operation Absolute Resolve," a large-scale military invasion that culminated in the brutal kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. 

This was not a “47-second TV show,” as Trump cynically described it. It was an act of state piracy that throws Latin America into the abyss of uncertainty and drags the planet into a new and dangerous cycle of imperialist barbarism.

The Night of Infamy: How Trump Threatened the World The operation was a blatant and cruel display of American military might, calculated to humiliate and intimidate. Under the flimsy pretext of combating "narcoterrorism"—an accusation never proven in international forums—the US war machine was activated with frightening ferocity.

The Skies of Caracas Under Attack: Approximately 150 combat and transport aircraft from different branches of the feared military. Delta ForceAir strikes, including F-35 fighter jets and B-2 Spirit bombers, were mobilized. The Venezuelan capital was the scene of coordinated air attacks aimed at neutralizing anti-aircraft defenses and military forces loyal to Maduro. Cruise missiles Tomahawk They struck strategic targets, while the civilian population of Caracas was terrorized by explosions and the deafening sound of the jets.

The Elite of Death: A Delta ForceThe Air Force, known for its brutality and for carrying out high-risk missions with FBI support, mobilized paratroopers near the Miraflores Palace, the presidential residence, in an operation aimed at capturing or eliminating the president of Venezuela and his partner.

State-of-the-art technology, including advanced reconnaissance drones and electronic warfare systems, was employed to blind Venezuelan communications, ensuring total control of airspace and land during the critical hours of the operation.

The Target: Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were kidnapped. Unofficial sources point to excessive use of force and a violation of any minimum human rights protocol during the capture, with reports of intimidation and physical aggression. They were transported to an American base in the region and, subsequently, to New York, where Trump has already announced that they will "face American justice," a mockery of Venezuelan sovereignty.

The immediate toll: more than 40 dead in Caracas, mostly civilians, and a trail of destruction that exposes the hypocrisy of Washington, which clamors for "democracy" while imposing its will with bombs and death squads.

Global Outrage: An Order in Collapse - The international reaction was immediate and polarized. The world, or at least the part that still values ​​civility and the rule of law, condemned Trump's reckless action.

1. Brazil: Lula Leads Condemnation of Neo-imperialism

In Brazil, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was the first prominent leader to speak out, and he did so with the forcefulness expected of a defender of Latin American sovereignty and integration. In a press conference on Saturday morning, Lula did not hold back his criticism:

“What we saw in Caracas was not an operation against a president, but against the very idea of ​​nationhood. Actions like this recall the worst moments of military interference in Latin America, where Washington's will prevailed over the self-determination of peoples. Brazil will not accept that Venezuela, a brotherly neighbor, be treated as a backyard to be invaded and plundered on a whim. It is a very serious affront to sovereignty, and we will do everything, at the UN and in all international forums, to ensure that this barbarity does not become a precedent.”

The Brazilian Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty), under the leadership of Mauro Vieira, has already mobilized its efforts to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and CELAC, seeking a unified condemnation and mechanisms to protect the region against future imperialist aggression. The concern is that "Operation Absolute Resolve" will serve as a model for future interventions, transforming Latin America into a chessboard for Washington's power-hungry fantasies.

2. Moscow: "State Banditry and a Threat to World Peace"

Russia did not hesitate to classify Trump's action as an act of "state banditry," a flagrant violation of all precepts of international law. TASS and RT echoed the Kremlin's indignation, which sees Maduro's capture as a direct provocation and a sign that the US considers itself above the law.

“What Washington did in Venezuela is an act of piracy, a kidnapping of a sovereign head of state. This is not foreign policy; it is state terrorism. The United States has turned international law into a torn piece of paper, and the “democracy” they so loudly proclaim is merely an excuse to plunder resources and impose their hegemony. Russia will not remain indifferent to the violation of the sovereignty of its partners and demands the immediate release of Maduro” – Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister.

Russian concern is palpable. Moscow not only loses billions in investments in PDVSA and arms sales to Venezuela, but also sees a dangerous precedent for the "export" of this type of "justice" to other regions of the globe, including its own borders.

The Kommersant newspaper warned of the possibility of retaliatory measures in "other theaters of operations": a clear threat that raises geopolitical tension to pre-Cold War levels.

3. Beijing: "Hegemony, Economic Chaos, and the Cowboy in the China Room"

China, with its usual pragmatic and calculated indignation, condemned Trump's action as a direct blow to the economic order and global stability. For Beijing, the invasion of Venezuela is the most glaring example of the "Cold War mentality" that still haunts Washington.

"The unilateral action of the United States in Venezuela is an act of bullying A hegemonic system that completely ignores national sovereignty and international norms. The pretext of "narcoterrorism" cannot hide the true intention: control of oil and the imposition of a global order dictated by Washington's interests. 

Such irresponsible behavior will only bring chaos to energy markets and destabilize the international landscape. China, according to an editorial from... Global TimesIt reiterates its principle of non-intervention and urges the US to respect the sovereignty of states.

Chinese media, through Xinhua, highlighted the danger to Chinese investments in Venezuela – a debt of tens of billions of dollars and important oil supply contracts. 

China sees Trump's maneuver as an attempt to control global energy prices, threatening its energy security and trade routes. The image of the "cowboy in the china shop"—Trump's disregard for rules and destruction of order—has become the rallying cry of Chinese criticism, which seeks solidarity in the so-called Global South against American unilateralism.

4. Milei's Betrayal: The Empire's Bootlicker

While the civilized world condemned the act of piracy, the dissenting voice from Latin America came from the South, from a self-proclaimed “libertarian” who doesn’t miss an opportunity to kneel before the empire. Javier Milei, president of Argentina, celebrated Maduro’s capture with a flurry of messages on social media, shouting “Viva la Libertad, man!”; And praising Trump as a “true statesman” who “confronts tyrants”: - “What Trump did today in Venezuela is proof that freedom always triumphs over tyranny! Finally, a leader with the courage to sweep away the corrupt socialists. May this serve as an example to all who defend freedom against oppression. Long live freedom, damn it!” stated Javier Milei on his official X account (formerly Twitter).

Milei's stance is a disgrace to the history of Argentina and to the memory of figures like Perón and Che Guevara. By blindly supporting American imperialism, Milei aligns himself with the worst oppressors of Latin America, showing himself to be a mere puppet serving the interests of Washington. His "freedom" is the freedom of some to oppress others, the freedom of finance capital to plunder the people. 

"Operation Absolute Resolve" has revealed, once again, the subservience and mediocrity of certain Latin American right-wing leaders, willing to sell the soul of the region for a nod from their northern boss.

The Price of Barbarity: Economic Impact and an Uncertain Future Beyond the political and humanitarian impact, Maduro's kidnapping has devastating economic implications:

Oil in Check: Venezuela possesses the largest proven oil reserves in the world. With the removal of Maduro, Trump signaled his intention for Venezuelan oil to flow back into the US; with American oil companies (such as ExxonMobil and Chevron) taking control of PDVSA. This could cause a precipitous drop in global prices, benefiting the American consumer but ruining the economies of producing countries and destabilizing markets.

Billion-Dollar Debt: Venezuela has a massive debt, especially to China and Russia. With the regime change forced by Trump, the question is: who will pay this debt? The billions owed to Beijing and Moscow risk being simply canceled by a pro-US interim government, generating a crisis of confidence in international investments and further escalating the trade and financial war.

Chaos and Plunder: The absence of a clear transition plan after Maduro's capture means Venezuela could plunge into even greater chaos. The power struggle within the country, combined with foreign interference and the plundering of natural resources, threatens to turn the nation into a powder keg, with unpredictable consequences for regional stability.

The Dawn of a More Dangerous World - "Operation Absolute Resolve" was not just the kidnapping of a president; it was the kidnapping of the hope for a world governed by law and not by brute force. Trump, with his reckless action, delivered the coup de grâce to the international order established after World War II, opening the door to an era of arbitrary military interventions and total disregard for national sovereignty.

What died in Caracas was not just the Chavista regime; it was the illusion that Latin America had overcome the era of coups and interventions. What is being born now is a more dangerous world, where the power of a single man – or a single nation – can define the destiny of entire peoples. The response to Trump's barbarity cannot be silence; it must be the union of progressive and sovereign forces to resist empire and build a future of peace, justice, and respect for all peoples. The struggle has only just begun.