In a dramatic and unprecedented military operation, forces acting under the administration of former US President Donald Trump successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The raid, which involved advanced Growler jets silencing Venezuelan air defenses, has sent shockwaves across the globe and triggered a fierce international backlash.
The Covert Operation and Its Immediate Aftermath
The operation, described as an "invisible" attack, saw US electronic warfare jets disable key Venezuelan military systems before the raid commenced. During the assault, which led to significant unrest in the capital Caracas, Venezuela admitted that 24 of its troops and 32 Cuban forces were wiped out, bringing the total fatalities to 56. A Venezuelan eyewitness recounted the horror of the attack, noting that a US helicopter returned to the scene to open fire.
Following the capture, President Trump confirmed the action, stating it was the "final provocation" after Maduro imitated his dance in a perceived act of mockery. In a significant strategic blow, reports indicate that Colombian guerrilla leaders stationed in Venezuela fled the country immediately after Maduro's capture, marking a huge win for US regional strategy.
A World Divided: Condemnation and Warnings
The international response has been sharply critical of the United States' unilateral action. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa led African nations in rallying behind Venezuela, demanding, "Free Maduro & His Wife Now!"
China issued its third stern warning to the Trump administration, drawing a new red line on Venezuela and explicitly stating, "YOU ARE NO JUDGE." The message underscores Beijing's firm opposition to external intervention in Caracas.
Meanwhile, in Europe, former foreign policy chief Josep Borrell issued a grave warning, declaring, "'Europe Can’t Count On America Anymore.'" His statement, "WAKE UP URSULA!" directed at EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlights the deep transatlantic rift caused by the operation.
Regional Ripples and Other Global Flashpoints
The raid has exacerbated tensions in other theaters. In Iran, public dissent manifested in chants of "Killer Khamenei," while the country's army chief launched verbal attacks against Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The US response to Iran was a promise that "HELP ON THE WAY."
Separately, Trump's alleged interest in a Greenland "military takeover" caused panic within NATO, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling the idea "not appropriate." This series of aggressive foreign policy moves has ignited the MAGA base but left allies questioning America's strategic direction.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro represents a seismic shift in hemispheric politics. While it delivers on a long-standing US objective, it has isolated America diplomatically, uniting adversaries and alarming traditional partners. The event sets a dangerous precedent for unilateral military interventions and leaves Venezuela's political future hanging in the balance.
