US Invades Venezuela Without Congressional Approval, Kidnaps Leader and Wife, Threatens Further Military Action.
The Trump administration's audacious plan to overthrow the government of Venezuela has unfolded with devastating consequences. Elite Army Delta Force commandos moved in early Saturday morning, supported by CIA covert operators and other military, intelligence, and law enforcement personnel. The operation, dubbed Absolute Resolve, was a brazen act of aggression that shattered global norms.
The U.S. had attacked a sovereign nation it was not at war with without congressional authorization, kidnapped its leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, rendered them to the United States, announced plans to "run" the country as a de facto colony, and threatened further attacks unless the acting president did America's bidding.
"We're in charge," Trump said on Sunday night. "We're going to run everything." However, not everyone shares this optimism. A senior defense official described America as a "rogue state" and pronounced dead the liberal rules-based geopolitical order championed by U.S. administrations since World War II.
"It's crazy how we are following the old, failed scripts: Topple government. Make no plans for the aftermath," the official said. "We must face the reality Trump has no limits. His powers are rooted in the fearmongering post-9/11 decisions creating emergency powers that were never reined back in."
Critics argue that the U.S. justifications for the operation are baseless and violate international law. Sarah Harrison, a former Pentagon policymaker, said that countries cannot use force against other states merely due to criminal activity.
"What happened on January 3 was clearly an offensive, not a defensive mission, and an act of aggression in violation of the U.N. charter and customary international law," she told The Intercept.
The operation has sparked widespread outrage, with at least 80 people reportedly killed, including military personnel and civilians. The government of Cuba reported that 32 Cubans serving in the Venezuelan armed forces and interior ministry were among those killed.
As Trump continues to threaten further attacks and military occupation unless his demands are met, experts warn of blowback and unintended consequences. Daniel DePetris, a researcher at Defense Priorities, said that previous regime change operations have failed to produce strategic success and instead led to expensive occupations and negative outcomes.
The Intercept is independent of corporate interests and relies on donations from readers like you. Join us in our mission to hold power accountable and expand our reporting capacity in 2026.
The Trump administration's audacious plan to overthrow the government of Venezuela has unfolded with devastating consequences. Elite Army Delta Force commandos moved in early Saturday morning, supported by CIA covert operators and other military, intelligence, and law enforcement personnel. The operation, dubbed Absolute Resolve, was a brazen act of aggression that shattered global norms.
The U.S. had attacked a sovereign nation it was not at war with without congressional authorization, kidnapped its leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, rendered them to the United States, announced plans to "run" the country as a de facto colony, and threatened further attacks unless the acting president did America's bidding.
"We're in charge," Trump said on Sunday night. "We're going to run everything." However, not everyone shares this optimism. A senior defense official described America as a "rogue state" and pronounced dead the liberal rules-based geopolitical order championed by U.S. administrations since World War II.
"It's crazy how we are following the old, failed scripts: Topple government. Make no plans for the aftermath," the official said. "We must face the reality Trump has no limits. His powers are rooted in the fearmongering post-9/11 decisions creating emergency powers that were never reined back in."
Critics argue that the U.S. justifications for the operation are baseless and violate international law. Sarah Harrison, a former Pentagon policymaker, said that countries cannot use force against other states merely due to criminal activity.
"What happened on January 3 was clearly an offensive, not a defensive mission, and an act of aggression in violation of the U.N. charter and customary international law," she told The Intercept.
The operation has sparked widespread outrage, with at least 80 people reportedly killed, including military personnel and civilians. The government of Cuba reported that 32 Cubans serving in the Venezuelan armed forces and interior ministry were among those killed.
As Trump continues to threaten further attacks and military occupation unless his demands are met, experts warn of blowback and unintended consequences. Daniel DePetris, a researcher at Defense Priorities, said that previous regime change operations have failed to produce strategic success and instead led to expensive occupations and negative outcomes.
The Intercept is independent of corporate interests and relies on donations from readers like you. Join us in our mission to hold power accountable and expand our reporting capacity in 2026.
. I mean, what even is this? They just barge into another country, kidnap the president and his wife, and threaten to take over like they're some kind of colonial empire 
. And Trump's all like "we're in charge now" with that smug face on him 
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. We're supposed to be some kind of global leader, but instead we're acting like the bad guy in every situation 
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seriously, what's next? 
US just waltzes into another country without so much as a by-your-leave? 
like "we're gonna run everything" - sounds like some bad 80s action movie script. 
Newsflash: the international community doesn't work that way. 
. I mean, come on, they're basically trying to set a new global precedent where the US can just invade anyone whenever it feels like it without so much as a "by your leave" from Congress. It's not even about Venezuela anymore, it's about setting the tone for what America is willing to get away with.
. The whole thing reeks of desperation and a lack of understanding about how geopolitics work. I mean, have they even talked to people outside of DC? This operation is a recipe for disaster and it's only a matter of time before the US gets blown back in its own face 
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this is literally insane what's going on in Venezuela right now the US just invaded a country without even getting permission from congress and now they're threatening to take over the whole thing it's like something out of a movie 
and I'm not buying it at all the fact that they kidnapped Maduro and his wife and are treating them like some sort of hostages is just plain wrong 
seriously though, how can one country just do whatever it wants and expect others to follow along? seems like they're playing with fire here 
and we all get burned 
I mean, have they thought about what they're gonna do after they "run" Venezuela? Like, who's gonna govern and make decisions for the people? It just seems so... impulsive and reckless. 
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and btw what's with the kidnapping part?? 
nicolás maduro and his wife are like who now? 
. Trump's all like "We're in charge" but honestly, it's just super concerning that he thinks he can do whatever he wants without anyone checking him 
. And what about international law? It's like they're just making up their own rules 
. This whole situation is super worrying and I'm not sure how it's going to all play out 
. The blowback and unintended consequences are gonna be huge 
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This is like something out of a movie, but it's real life and it's happening right now 
. Trump can't just do whatever he wants without consequences 
. Can we please get some answers on what's going on here? 
i dont get why trump is doing this he's just making america look super bad in front of the whole world 
. I don't think anyone expected him to go this far, and now we're facing a global crisis because of it 
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