Following airstrikes and Maduro's capture on January 3, 2026, Trump declared the US would 'run' Venezuela temporarily, sending oil giants to rebuild infrastructure. At a Florida presser, he promised billions in investments for the broken oil sector, ensuring a 'safe transition.' Critics decry it as resource grab, while Trump frames it as liberation from Maduro's mismanagement.

The US launched airstrikes on Venezuela on January 3, 2026, capturing Maduro on narco-terrorism charges tied to drug cartels and oil corruption. Rooted in decades of tensions, the operation addressed election fraud and regime repression. Trump's strikes targeted military sites, aiming to dismantle the 'narco-state' and secure resources. This explainer breaks down motives, timeline, and implications for global relations.

The European Union expressed deep concern over US airstrikes and Maduro's capture on January 3, 2026, calling it a breach of international law while urging restraint. High Representative Kallas emphasized civilian protection and democratic transition. With divided member states, the EU advocates UN involvement amid fears of migration and energy disruptions. This measured response balances transatlantic ties with principles.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva denounced the US airstrikes and Maduro's arrest on January 3, 2026, as a 'serious affront' to sovereignty, urging UN action. Fearing refugee influx and border instability, Brazil mobilized troops while calling for dialogue. As a regional power, this reaction highlights Latin American divisions, with Lula viewing it as a return to 'gunboat diplomacy.'

China strongly condemned the US airstrikes and Maduro's capture on January 3, 2026, as 'hegemonic actions' infringing sovereignty. Beijing urged respect for international law, offering mediation while warning against regional instability. With economic ties to Venezuela's oil, China fears disruptions and views it as US overreach. This stance aligns with its anti-intervention policy, potentially straining US-China relations further.

Russia slammed the US airstrikes on Venezuela and Maduro's arrest as 'armed aggression' violating international law, on January 3, 2026. Foreign Minister Lavrov called it a 'dangerous precedent,' pledging diplomatic and military aid to Caracas. Amid fears of escalation, Moscow urged UN intervention while criticizing Trump's 'imperialism.' This reaction heightens global tensions, with Russia viewing it as a threat to its allies.

Months of intelligence buildup led to the US airstrikes on Venezuela and Maduro's arrest on January 3, 2026, under Trump's directive. Operation Absolute Resolve involved cyber ops to disable defenses, followed by precision bombs and elite teams. Motivated by drug indictments and election fraud claims, the mission aimed to seize oil assets and install a pro-US government. Maduro's capture marks a high-stakes gamble in US foreign policy.

The Venezuelan capital erupted in chaos on January 3, 2026, as US airstrikes targeted military bases, with residents reporting deafening blasts and plumes of smoke. Amid the bombardment, special forces captured President Maduro, sparking panic and celebrations. Survivors describe low-flying jets and ground tremors, with at least 50 casualties. The operation, aimed at ending Maduro's rule, has left the city in disarray as power struggles emerge.

US forces executed a surprise aerial assault on key Venezuelan military sites in Caracas and surrounding areas on January 3, 2026, leading to the swift capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, the strikes targeted air defenses and alleged drug facilities, crippling Maduro's regime. Trump hailed it as a triumph against narco-terrorism, with Maduro now en route to the US for trial on drug charges. Casualties reported in dozens as explosions lit up the night sky.

Iran's senior adviser to Supreme Leader Khamenei sarcastically rebuffed President Trump's warning of US intervention to "rescue" protesters, pointing to past failures in Afghanistan and Iraq. Dismissing alleged protest videos as AI fakes, the sharp response highlights ongoing US-Iran tensions and perceived American hypocrisy in foreign interventions. This verbal clash revives longstanding geopolitical rivalries.