Venezuela - President Nicolas Maduro & his wife "captured and flown out of country" by U.S. Army Delta Force during "large scale attack" - Jan 3, 2026

[LAborn]

This is and always has been about oil.

And: "Beyond targeting other countries’ oil, Trump has sought to secure rare earth minerals – materials vital for the production of batteries, cellphones, electric cars and weapons systems – from other countries, even seeking to strong-arm traditional US allies to get them."

"Trump’s belief in what Bigger calls “resource imperialism” emerged during his first presidential campaign. Then, he repeatedly suggested that though the US should not have waged the Iraq war, it should have taken the country’s oil in compensation for the costs of the conflict.

“You win the war and you take it,” he told ABC in 2015. “You’re not stealing anything … We’re reimbursing ourselves.” Trump’s claims to Venezuelan oil are part of broader ‘resource imperialism’, experts say

 

[NuttMegg]

This is and always has been about oil.

Most of those exiled Venezuelans probably think their country's own oil money will help repatriate 8 million forced out.

 

[NuttMegg]

Dbm

 

[otto]

Neo-colonialism:

• The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine is neo-colonialism. Russia invaded Ukraine in order to extend political influence and topple the Ukrainian government.
• The 2026 kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife is US neo-colonialism.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow called the US actions "an act of armed aggression" and said Russia remains in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government. Asked about criticism of the US actions, Trump said it came from "weak, stupid people."

UN Secretary-General Guterres is "deeply concerned" about the US actions and the kidnapping of Maduro. He also calls it a "dangerous precedent." He states that everyone must respect international law.

EU President Ursula von der Leyen also responded to the US attack on Venezuela: she gave a neutral response. "We stand with the Venezuelan people and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter," she wrote on X."

Trump wil grote rol Amerikanen in Venezolaanse olie-industrie

Het Russische ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken in Moskou noemt de Amerikaanse acties "een daad van gewapende agressie" .

nos.nl

 

[Vaderman]

Source

 

[PrairieWind]

What crime did his wife commit?

Conspiracy, she is listed in the indictment as well

 

[PrairieWind]

Neo-colonialism:

• The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine is neo-colonialism. Russia invaded Ukraine in order to extend political influence and topple the Ukrainian government.
• The 2026 kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife is US neo-colonialism.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow called the US actions "an act of armed aggression" and said Russia remains in solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government. Asked about criticism of the US actions, Trump said it came from "weak, stupid people."

UN Secretary-General Guterres is "deeply concerned" about the US actions and the kidnapping of Maduro. He also calls it a "dangerous precedent." He states that everyone must respect international law.

EU President Ursula von der Leyen also responded to the US attack on Venezuela: she gave a neutral response. "We stand with the Venezuelan people and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter," she wrote on X."

Trump wil grote rol Amerikanen in Venezolaanse olie-industrie

Het Russische ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken in Moskou noemt de Amerikaanse acties "een daad van gewapende agressie" .

nos.nl

This is not neo-colonialism. This arresting an illegitamate leader who was indicted in US Courts 5 years ago. This hopefully will open a new chapter for the Venezuelan people to once again be a wealthy people. No question that Maduro's reign was brutal to the Venezuelan people

Now, a PRC invasion of Taiwan, THAT would be true neo-colonialism.

 

[Vaderman]

"We're gonna run it [Venezuela]" - President Trump, Press Conference
Watch Live: Trump Speaks After U.S. Captures Venezuela President Maduro

 

[Marfe]

Most of those exiled Venezuelans probably think their country's own oil money will help repatriate 8 million forced out.

I am frankly worried about some of my Venezuelan friends and colleagues: they are overjoyed and celebrating, meanwhile I am thinking about the impact on their legal status: they are here as refugees and their status has been pending for years (sometimes 10+ years) trying to become citizens - I hope this does not mean they lose their right to stay here as a refugee as there is no more dictatorship and are sent back (they want to stay). Anyone any thoughts on that?

 

[otto]

There is no support from anyone in the international community for the US kidnapping of a foreign leader.

"Cuba, Venezuela's closest ally, is making an "urgent appeal to the international community" to respond to what it calls the "criminal" US attack on Caracas ... a "brutal attack on our territory of peace."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says on X he opposes "any unilateral military actions" against his neighbor. Colombia ... has sent troop reinforcements to the border with Venezuela.

The Moscow Foreign Ministry called the US actions "an act of armed aggression" ... "Venezuela's right to determine its own destiny must be guaranteed, without any destructive, let alone military, intervention from outside."
...

China ... condemned it said it was shocked by the "flagrant use of force" and the violation of Venezuela's sovereignty. China also stated that it opposes the US's "hegemonic behavior," which is inconsistent with international law.
...

British Prime Minister Starmer "wants to speak to Trump about what happened in Venezuela" and says the UK was not involved in the attack"

Internationale woede en bezorgdheid over de situatie in Venezuela

Politieke leiders wereldwijd zijn bezorgd na de Amerikaanse luchtaanvallen op Venezuela en de gevangenname van president Maduro.

nos.nl

 

[Vaderman]

Update from David E. Sanger

www.nytimes.com

“We are going to run the country until such time that we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said, suggesting an occupation. The United States has done this before, in Germany, in Japan, and of course Iraq. But the history is checkered.

 

[NuttMegg]

Conspiracy, she is listed in the indictment as well

The indictment of today, after she was taken from her country? I can't find a reference in the news saying she was indicted in 2020.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

Conspiracy, she is listed in the indictment as well

She has an interesting family history if Wikipedia is to be believed:

"On 10 November 2015, two nephews of Cilia Flores, Efraín Antonio Campos Flores and Francisco Flores de Freitas, were arrested in Port-au-Prince, Haiti by local police while attempting to make a deal to transport 800 kilograms of cocaine destined for New York City and were turned over to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) where they were flown directly to the United States."

Cilia Flores - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[SouthAussie]

Trump put no time limit on the American occupation. It would be up to the United States to decide when to return the country to Venezuelan control. And then he turned to oil, saying that American companies would fix the infrastructure, “and start making money for the country.”

Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro Arrives in N.Y.; Trump Says U.S. Will 'Run' Venezuela

Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, rejected the U.S. intervention and demanded President Nicolás Maduro’s return. Maduro and his wife were being brought to New York City to stand trial on drug and weapons charges.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Mauig’ma]

Other countries and entities will gladly flood their products into the US.

I like to think taking one major one down is better than None! IMO moo

 

[Gators North]

Trump put no time limit on the American occupation. It would be up to the United States to decide when to return the country to Venezuelan control. And then he turned to oil, saying that American companies would fix the infrastructure, “and start making money for the country.”

Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro Arrives in N.Y.; Trump Says U.S. Will 'Run' Venezuela

Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, rejected the U.S. intervention and demanded President Nicolás Maduro’s return. Maduro and his wife were being brought to New York City to stand trial on drug and weapons charges.

www.nytimes.com

Yes, make money for the US, not Venezuela. MOO, JMO

 

[NuttMegg]

This is not neo-colonialism. This arresting an illegitamate leader who was indicted in US Courts 5 years ago. This hopefully will open a new chapter for the Venezuelan people to once again be a wealthy people. No question that Maduro's reign was brutal to the Venezuelan people

Now, a PRC invasion of Taiwan, THAT would be true neo-colonialism.

What if a foreign country indicted Trump and his wife.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Well the war on drugs is just a pretext. This is because of his political affiliation.

and all that new found oil.
Don't let any words coming out of the Administration fool you.
This is world power in action.

 

[SouthAussie]

As he justifies the military operation in Venezuela, Trump argued that Maduro sent members of Tren de Aragua to the United States to terrorize American communities. Trump’s own intelligence community earlier this year undercut that claim, finding that the gang was not controlled by the Venezuelan government.

Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro Arrives in N.Y.; Trump Says U.S. Will 'Run' Venezuela

Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, rejected the U.S. intervention and demanded President Nicolás Maduro’s return. Maduro and his wife were being brought to New York City to stand trial on drug and weapons charges.

www.nytimes.com

 

[PrairieWind]

Yes, make money for the US, not Venezuela. MOO, JMO

Venezuela used to be a very wealthy nation. It can be again. Why is THAT a bad thing?