US allies and foes alike are on high alert as Washington's swift capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sets a worrying precedent for potential American interventionism.
The operation, framed by the Trump administration as a demonstration of American power, has sent shockwaves beyond Caracas, leaving many to wonder if this is just the beginning. The US has long been accused of being a "gun for hire" in Latin America, and Maduro's capture only fuels these concerns.
Russia and China have swiftly condemned the strikes, calling for the release of Maduro and labeling the operation a clear violation of international law. Iran and Cuba have also denounced what they see as a flagrant disregard for UN Charter principles, with Iran warning that it could face US action if protesters are harmed.
Even major European allies have carefully signaled concern about the operation's legality, largely aligning with the US on policy but stopping short of explicitly endorsing it. The EU has expressed support for a peaceful and democratic transition of power in Venezuela, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the operation as a contravention of international law.
The real question now is where this will lead. Will the US continue to use military force to enforce its interests, or will it learn from past mistakes? One thing is certain: the world is watching, and many are worried about what's next.
As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it, "We are at war against drug trafficking organizations. It's not a war against Venezuela." But for those who have followed the US's track record in Latin America, this sounds eerily familiar – and deeply concerning.
In a region where the rule of law is often stretched to breaking point, the US's actions have historically been driven by a self-interest that prioritizes its own power and influence. Will this be any different now? Only time will tell.
The operation, framed by the Trump administration as a demonstration of American power, has sent shockwaves beyond Caracas, leaving many to wonder if this is just the beginning. The US has long been accused of being a "gun for hire" in Latin America, and Maduro's capture only fuels these concerns.
Russia and China have swiftly condemned the strikes, calling for the release of Maduro and labeling the operation a clear violation of international law. Iran and Cuba have also denounced what they see as a flagrant disregard for UN Charter principles, with Iran warning that it could face US action if protesters are harmed.
Even major European allies have carefully signaled concern about the operation's legality, largely aligning with the US on policy but stopping short of explicitly endorsing it. The EU has expressed support for a peaceful and democratic transition of power in Venezuela, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the operation as a contravention of international law.
The real question now is where this will lead. Will the US continue to use military force to enforce its interests, or will it learn from past mistakes? One thing is certain: the world is watching, and many are worried about what's next.
As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it, "We are at war against drug trafficking organizations. It's not a war against Venezuela." But for those who have followed the US's track record in Latin America, this sounds eerily familiar – and deeply concerning.
In a region where the rule of law is often stretched to breaking point, the US's actions have historically been driven by a self-interest that prioritizes its own power and influence. Will this be any different now? Only time will tell.
?! The US is getting so aggressive it's freaking out everyone! 
I mean, Maduro was like a puppet on strings already... why did they need to take drastic measures? 
It looks super shady and manipulative, especially with the whole "not a war against Venezuela" thing... come on @MarcoRubio 
. The fact that Russia and China are super upset is just another layer of proof that this wasn't done for the good of Venezuela at all 
. We should be worried about what's next and if it's going to lead to more chaos and instability in the region 
. Can we trust the US on this one?
I mean, who doesn't love a good game of "US intervention roulette"? One day it's a "demonstration of American power", the next it's a blatant disregard for international law... sounds like they're just winging it as usual 
. And Iran? Yeah, they've been saying that since the CIA-backed coup in 1953... same song, different verse 
. They just want to save face while still maintaining their own interests. Meanwhile, the US is over here trying to justify its actions with that super convincing "it's not a war against Venezuela" line 
. Fingers crossed they learn from past mistakes, but I'm not holding my breath 
and Iran's warning of retaliation if protesters get hurt. What happened to "we don't interfere in other countries' biz"? 
.
We all know that the US has a history of using military force to get what it wants, and this just feels like more of the same 
I'm keeping an eye on this situation and I hope it doesn't escalate into something big 
this feels like a bad omen for us all 
we've seen this movie before in latin america and it never ends well 
i'm scared for the future of our planet, man... 
. I'm not saying it's going to be as catastrophic as the invasion of Grenada, but it still feels too familiar - they keep saying it's about taking down drug cartels, but we all know that's just an excuse 
And now they're using military force? That's a big red flag for me. I hope they're thinking carefully about the consequences of their actions.
. And don't even get me started on Iran and Cuba... they're like "nope, not gonna stand for this" 
. I mean, Maduro's capture is serious business, but we can't just assume that the US was acting alone or without thinking things through 
. Russia and China have valid concerns about international law being broken here 
.
. The world watching might be a bad thing, but it also means there's an opportunity for us to learn from each other and come up with better solutions 
.
Is this gonna be a trend or what?! 
In school we always learn about international law and stuff like that. It sounds so basic but it's super important! 
And now it feels like they're just disregarding all those rules... 
Like, what if this sets a bad precedent?! 
It sounds so fake! 
. This whole situation is making me think of the Clinton administration's 'drug war' and how it led to a lot of instability in Central America 
.
, 2 million Venezuelans have fled to Colombia alone 
, and the country's economy has shrunk by 60% in the last decade 
. And what's the outcome? More instability and violence 
.
. The EU is also trying to mediate, but their influence is limited by the US' military presence 
.
. It's time for some accountability and diplomacy 
.
... it's like they're trying to set a precedent for what happens when they want something in a country. I mean, Russia & China are already hating on it, and our own EU friends are all like "hey, slow down" 
It's always about power & influence, never really about helping people 
Can't the US just make up its mind already? 