In a stunning and unprecedented military move, former US President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by American forces. The dramatic operation, which took place on January 3, 2026, has sent shockwaves across the globe, marking a drastic escalation in US intervention in South America.
The Announcement and US Plans for Venezuela
Following the capture, Trump held a press conference on Saturday where he declared that the United States "is going to run" Venezuela. He outlined plans involving a dedicated team working alongside the Venezuelan people to stabilise the nation. This announcement formalised a direct US administrative role in the country's future, moving beyond sanctions and diplomatic pressure to outright control.
The operation culminated in the arrest of Maduro, who had led Venezuela for over 12 years. His tenure was widely criticised for alleged corruption, economic mismanagement, and political repression, leading to severe hyperinflation and a deep humanitarian crisis.
Global Condemnation and a Mayor's Backlash
While the news sparked celebrations among many Venezuelans, both in their homeland and in diaspora communities like New York, the international response has been sharply divided. The move has been condemned by numerous global leaders and figures as a violation of international law.
One of the most vocal critics is New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who labelled the unilateral action an "act of war". In a post on social media platform X on January 3, Mamdani argued that such regime change pursuits not only affect people abroad but directly impact New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans residing in the city. He emphasised his administration's focus on their safety.
Venezuelan Diaspora Fights Back Online
Mayor Mamdani's criticism, however, triggered an immediate and fierce backlash, particularly from members of the Venezuelan diaspora. A user named @itsthatgigi posted a viral thread that powerfully countered the Mayor's stance. She shared her family's painful experience enduring "two decades of dictatorship, poverty, and brutal hyperinflation" under Maduro's rule.
She argued that calling Maduro the "President" missed the point, stating he hijacked power through documented electoral fraud and suppression. "His regime has been marked by documented electoral fraud, suppression of dissent, jailing of political rivals, and the weaponization of military force to cling to control. That’s tyranny," she wrote.
For her and many others, Maduro's fall was not an attack on Venezuela but a moment of "justice" and long-awaited accountability. She concluded that many felt a "long overdue sense of gratitude" for Trump's action, a sentiment echoed by numerous Venezuelans in the comments criticising Mayor Mamdani's position.
The event sets a monumental precedent in international relations, blurring the lines between intervention and sovereignty. It leaves the world watching closely to see the unfolding consequences for Venezuela, US foreign policy, and the global political order.
