The recent United States-led operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the near-bloodless capture of a serving president, has been described by analysts as a defining moment heralding the start of a new global confrontation. According to commentator Somnath Mukherjee, writing on January 04, 2026, the mission represents a clear gauntlet thrown down to America's emerging adversaries.
The Anatomy of a Modern Regime Change
Mukherjee details that the operation was a stark display of modern military and intelligence prowess. It combined stealth fighter jets to establish complete air dominance with intelligence operatives on the ground. These operatives then guided special forces for a precise insertion, culminating in the seizure of the Venezuelan president. The expert emphasises that the entire event was executed with peak shock and awe tactics, yet resulted in remarkably little bloodshed.
Echoes of the Past, Signals for the Future
This action, Mukherjee argues, is fundamentally about the United States marking its strategic territory in normative terms. He draws parallels to the old Cold War, where such regime changes via active measures were standard practice for superpowers. Historical events like the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Soviet Union's Operation Storm 333 in Afghanistan, and the Vietnam War are cited as higher-profile examples from that era.
The crucial difference now is the adversary. The Venezuela operation is interpreted as a direct warning to the so-called Dragon Bear a likely reference to the growing strategic alignment between China and Russia. This move is seen as the US forcefully stating its red lines and capabilities at the dawn of this renewed geopolitical struggle.
A Defining Marker of Global Tensions
In conclusion, Somnath Mukherjee's analysis posits that the Venezuela intervention is not an isolated incident. Instead, it serves as the definitive marker of a new Cold War. The operation underscores a return to great power competition where direct and indirect actions to enforce political change are becoming tools of statecraft once again. The world, it seems, is entering a phase where such dramatic demonstrations of power will shape the international order.
