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Montevideo, January 5th 2026 - 04:08 UTC

 

 

Trump claims Maduro captured after “large-scale strike” on Venezuela

Saturday, January 3rd 2026 - 10:58 UTC
Full article 13 comments

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro had been captured and removed from the country following what he described as a “large-scale” U.S. military operation carried out overnight. Read full article

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  • FortHay

    What now? Bring in Lula and Petro for company, take them to Guantanamo and open a 'retirement home' for leftist strongmen? Externally imposed regime change is seldom successful, even worthwhile. Regardless of what ones opinion is of Maduro and his clique, it should be left up to the Venezuelan people to make changes, as slow and painful as that may turn out to be. Chile is the nearest and best example of how to do that.

    Posted 1 day ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • jlt

    Elections were held in Venezuela not that long ago, with the opposition claiming that they were rigged in Maduro's favour. I believe that 100%. Venezuela is a rich country, and Venezuelans deserve a fair Government, once and for all. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this will play out.

    Posted 1 day ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pugol-H

    Agreed, however in a world where Israel can obliterate Gaza with the population still in it, Russia can invade Ukraine and China can (now seriously) threaten Tiawan, an egotist like Trump is not going to miss out on bitch slapping Maduro around.

    It’s the world we now live in, hard power counts for more as the UN fades into the background and every country has its own idea of what ‘international law’ means.

    Posted 1 day ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • MarkWhelan

    I just wonder if this “Delta Force” led strike and capture is going to justify the bombing of civilian areas in 3 other states.
    I think Donald has been listening to Vladimir too much when it comes to military strategy.

    Posted 1 day ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • imoyaro

    A pity he won't just disappear, as he has done to so many others...

    https://www.caracaschronicles.com/2024/08/30/can-we-finally-talk-about-maduros-desaparecidos/

    Posted 1 day ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Veteran

    Greenland next?

    Posted 16 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Esteban Domingo Fernandez

    Then Cuba ?

    Posted 14 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pugol-H

    Oh, given time he’ll probably get round to those two.

    But this is about oil, and I’m sure FortHay will correct me if I’m wrong here, but for whatever historical reasons, most US refineries are set up to process ‘heavy crude’, which the US produces very little of, that comes from Canada, Russia or you guessed it Venezuela.

    Currently most US refineries are almost entirely dependant on supplies of Canadian ‘heavy crude’ to keep running, shipped via extensive pipeline networks. An uncomfortable position for Donald given his current trade war with Canada.

    He thinks if he can secure a supply of Venezuelan ‘heavy crude’, it will reduce the US dependence on Canada and give him more leverage in his trade war.

    The practical problems of running a country like Venezuela, never mind doing it ‘by proxy’, whilst rebuilding a country wide oil infrastructure, before getting any quantity of oil to the US, doesn’t seem to daunt Donald in the slightest.

    Not going to be quick, easy or cheap to do, if it is even doable.

    Posted 11 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    There are many hypotheses about what happened in Venezuela. Betrayal, deals, that certainly happened. But something still leaves me in doubt: if there wasn't a regime change, if there wasn't the rise of Corina Machado and her cronies, what really changed?

    Perhaps Rubio's hope that the fear of a decapitation attack will solve the problem. I anticipate, it won't!

    Maybe with more money...who knows?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM9qmwudG90&list=FLmXPTu1f8AdGlizWNiASx2A&index=1

    Posted 9 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Esteban Domingo Fernandez

    The Venezuela story is not over yet, yes its good that a dictator that clearly lost the election has been removed, but his cult following is still in power. their is massive uncertainty.

    Posted 8 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pugol-H

    What has changed is US companies will rebuild Venezuelan oil production, for a cut of the profits.

    Doesn’t matter who is in power in Caracas just so long as the situation is stable/secure enough for the oil companies to work.

    The best interests of Venezuela, or the Venezuelan people were never a consideration in this.

    This is a plan written on the back of a cigarette packet after a night’s heavy drinking.

    Brilliant idea at the time, but in the cold light of day???

    Posted 5 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Brasileiro

    US companies will not be welcome in Venezuela. Take my word for it. The Venezuelan people hate the United States or anything that comes from them. Believe me!

    Posted 4 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Esteban Domingo Fernandez

    Agreed Pugol-H, and Trump can not be trusted one bit , its about oil and nothing more. still cant see how things will change, the same corrupt lot are still in power, how can they be controlled and made to do the right thing for Venezuela, the military still backs their new President, as does the secret police, so many questions to answer,

    Posted 3 hours ago - Link - Report abuse 0

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