Pentagon Official on Venezuela War: “Following the Old, Failed Scripts”

A brazen and audacious power grab has shaken the foundations of global politics, as the US-led operation in Venezuela unfolded with unprecedented brutality. The Trump administration's audacious regime-change project, dubbed "Absolute Resolve," has upended traditional norms of geopolitics, leaving a trail of chaos and destruction in its wake.

The elite Army Delta Force commandos, backed by CIA covert operators and other military, intelligence, and law enforcement personnel, stormed the country in the early hours of Saturday morning. The operation, which was carried out without congressional authorization, targeted Nicolás Maduro's regime, kidnapping the president and his wife Cilia Flores, and rendering them to the United States.

The Trump administration has justified this brazen move by citing the president's authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect US personnel from an actual or imminent attack. However, critics argue that this rationale is baseless and ignores the fundamental principles of international law and sovereignty.

"This operation is a clear violation of international law," said Sarah Harrison, who previously advised Pentagon policymakers on issues related to human rights and the law of war. "Countries cannot go around the world using force against other states merely due to criminal activity. The administration's justifications are groundless."

The operation has sparked widespread condemnation from global leaders and experts, with many labeling it an act of aggression and a brazen power grab by the US.

"It feels like the end of the Republic in Star Wars," said a senior defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. "America is a rogue state, and Trump is a tyrant."

The operation has also raised concerns about the long-term consequences of this move, with many experts warning that it could lead to a destabilization of regional politics and a catastrophic outcome.

"The United States learned this the hard way during previous regime change operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya," said Daniel DePetris of Defense Priorities. "A split in the Venezuelan military, an expansion of criminal groups in the country, civil war, and the emergence of an even worse autocrat are all possible scenarios. None of these would bode well for regional stability or US interests in its sphere of influence."

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the world is watching with bated breath as the US-led operation in Venezuela plays out, and the implications of this brazen power grab will be felt for a long time to come.

I'm totally freaked out about what's happening in Venezuela . I mean, the US just pulled off an op without congressional approval? That's like, super reckless . And now they're saying it's all legit because of some Article II thingy... give me a break . The fact that global leaders and experts are calling it out as an act of aggression is music to my ears .

I'm also really worried about the long-term consequences of this move. We've seen time and time again how regime change ops in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya have ended in chaos and catastrophe . And now they're just gonna stir up more trouble in Venezuela? Not cool, dude .

I think we need to take a step back and reevaluate the US's role in the world right now. It feels like they're trying to act like some kind of global police state, and that's just not gonna fly . We need diplomacy and cooperation, not military might .

This whole Venezuelan situation is getting outta hand! I mean, who do these people think they are? The Trump admin's justifying it as some sorta constitutional thing, but honestly it feels like they're making all this up as they go along. I'm also super worried about the long-term consequences - we've seen how these kinds of operations can play out in other countries and it never ends well. Like, what if Maduro's wife is still gonna be a target for them? And what about Nicolás himself? Is he even safe now? This whole thing just feels really reckless and I don't know how anyone can support this kind of action.

idk about this op ... but at the same time, i'm like totally convinced it's a total disaster ... can't decide if trump is a genius or a complete nutter ... on one hand, taking out Maduro is def needed after all the human rights abuses ... but then again, isn't the US just sticking its nose in where it doesn't belong? like, what's next? sending troops to canada or something?

This whole thing feels super shady. Like, I get that Trump wants to protect American interests but doing it like this is just reckless. Kidnapping Maduro and his wife? That's not exactly subtle. And who needs Congress to sign off on this? It sounds like they're just making up the rules as they go along. Not cool, dude .

what's going on with the Trump admin, they really think they can just do whatever they want and not get held accountable? I mean, kidnapping the president and his wife and taking them to the US without even getting congressional approval is just crazy talk

and another thing, if they're gonna use Article II as an excuse for this op, then why didn't they just ask Congress for permission like a normal human being? It's not like it's a secret operation that requires presidential authority

I'm not surprised that global leaders and experts are speaking out against this move, it's just basic human decency to respect the sovereignty of other nations

the us is at it again i mean, i get that trump wants to make a point about american interests but does he have to go about it like a dictator? this operation in venezuela is just another example of how the usa is trying to impose its will on other countries without considering the consequences. and what's with the article 2 thingy? sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo to me

anyway, i'm not surprised that global leaders are speaking out against this operation. it just goes to show that even if trump thinks he's above the law, everyone else is still watching and waiting for him to step up his game. and let's be real, if this doesn't end well for venezuela (and by extension, the usa), who knows what kind of mess we'll have on our hands?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around what's happening in Venezuela ... I mean, can't believe it, Trump's just gone rogue on us . Always thought he was a bit of a wild card, but this takes the cake. The way they're justifying it as some kind of Constitutional thing, no way man . That Sarah Harrison's right, it's a total slap in the face to international law.

And what's with all these Star Wars references? "The end of the Republic" ? Come on guys, get real. This is just power-hungry and reckless. I'm worried about the long-term consequences, it could be disastrous for Venezuela and everyone else involved . Mark my words, this operation's gonna come back to bite the US big time.

I'm still trying to process what happened, but one thing's for sure: the world's not a fan of Trump's latest move . The opposition's already saying it was a failed coup attempt, and I gotta agree with them . What's next? A military intervention in Iran or something? This is getting out of hand, man...

OMG, have you guys seen what's going on in Venezuela?? The US just stormed the country like it's their own backyard! I'm talking full-on Army Delta Force commandos, CIA operatives, and even kidnapped Maduro himself This is some serious Trump-style aggression right here. I don't know about you, but it feels like they're disregarding international law left and right .

And can we talk about the justifications for this operation? "Protecting US personnel"? Give me a break! That's like saying "I'm taking over Venezuela to protect my taco Tuesday delivery schedule". Not buying it, fam. This is some serious power grab territory .

What do you guys think? Is the US just acting out of desperation or what? Should they be more worried about their own reputation rather than trying to flex their global muscles?

just think about it, if trump can do this to venezuela without congress's approval then what's stopping him from doing it to someone else? it's like he's playing a game of global chess and the rest of us are just pawns and meanwhile, what's the US going to do with all these people they kidnapped? Are they gonna put them on trial or just stick 'em in some secret prison somewhere? this whole thing is super shady and i'm keeping an eye on it

I'm not buying it , this "Absolute Resolve" thing sounds like something straight out of a bad action movie . I mean, a regime change without congressional authorization? That's a pretty big power play . And what about the international law thingies? It feels like an excuse to me . I'd love to see some solid evidence that this is all legitimate and not just another example of US imperialist tactics .

omg u guys this is like totally insane!!! how can the usa just invade another country w/o permission?!? it feels like they're trying 2 impose their own brand of order on the world... but really they're just makin a mess i dont get why ppl r callin trump a tyrant tho... didnt he win an election or smthn?!? anywayz this whole thing is super concerning & it's gonna be interesting 2 see how it all plays out

the us is getting too big for its boots this regime change thingy is straight outta bad action movie but seriously, what's next? ️ the world is already shaking in fear and it's only gonna get worse someone needs to stop trump and his crew before they destroy everything

omg i'm literally shocked by this news!!! like what is going on over there? how can the usa just do whatever they want without congress or anyone else's permission? it feels like a total power trip and i don't think it's cool at all... i mean i know some people might say "usa can do what it wants" but that's just not true, right? there are rules and laws in place for everyone to follow. and what about nicolás Maduro and his wife cilia flores? where did they go exactly? are they okay? i'm really worried about the implications of this operation and how it's gonna affect venezuela and the whole region... i hope the usa thinks about the consequences of its actions...

OMG can't believe what's happening in Venezuela! The US just pulled off an epic power move and it's super suspicious . They say they're protecting their people but I'm like "hold up, that's not how international law works" . The fact that they did this without congress' approval is a major red flag . What's next? US taking over other countries left and right? It sounds like Trump is getting a little too big for his britches . And now the whole world is watching, waiting to see how this plays out. Can we just go back to normal geopolitics already?

This whole thing feels like a setup to me... I mean, who needs congressional authorization to just go in and overthrow another country's president? It's like they're trying to create a new world order or something. And what about the CIA covert operators? Are they just there to "help" Maduro's regime? Or is this some kind of covert ops to bring down the government and install a puppet leader? I don't trust it one bit... This whole operation reeks of imperialism to me, and I'm not buying the "protection of US personnel" excuse. The US is just trying to expand its influence and control over the world's resources, plain and simple .

I'm getting hyped about how they're saying Trump's regime change operation in Venezuela was done without congressional authorization . Like, how can you legitimize an action by citing a non-existent right under Article II? That's some deep-seated hypocrisy right there . And all these senior defense officials calling out the US as a rogue state? That's not exactly subtle . This could get interesting , especially if the situation in Venezuela ends up being worse than it is now .

OMG what's going on in Venezuela?! The US just stormed in like a total boss and kidnapped Maduro lol what are they even thinking? They're saying it's all about protecting US personnel but honestly who needs that kinda drama? It's like they took the whole "rugged individualism" thing too far. And now everyone's hating on Trump for being a rogue state I'm low-key concerned about what this means for regional stability and all that jazz Anyways, can we get an update on Maduro's whereabouts already?!

I think the US should've at least gotten a UN approval before doing that op . All this talk about "protecting its interests" is just a fancy way of saying they wanna be the only ones in charge . Venezuela's got problems, but intervening like this? That's just gonna create more problems and make it harder for them to fix their own stuff . Plus, what's next? The US justifying invading other countries under some vague "Article II" thing? It sounds like a bunch of made-up BS .

the trump administration's actions in venezuela are so suspicious ... i think it's more than just about protecting us personnel from an attack, they're trying to destabilize the country and create a power vacuum that they can fill. this reminds me of the old "shock and awe" strategy they used in iraq, but on a much larger scale.

i'm not surprised that world leaders are condemning this operation - it's a classic case of imperialism, where one powerful nation tries to impose its will on another. the fact that they did this without congressional authorization is just icing on the cake ... it's like they're trying to show off their power and disregard for international law.

i'm also worried about the long-term consequences of this move - venezuela has a complex history, and any attempts to destabilize the country could lead to even more violence and instability. not to mention the humanitarian crisis that would unfold if the government is overthrown ... it's a classic case of "the devil you know" vs "the devil you don't know". i just hope the world is watching this situation closely, because someone needs to hold trump administration accountable for their actions .