The U.S. invasion of Venezuela, capturing the president Maduro now the US control Venezuelan oil

📌 What has happened • On January 3, 2026, the United States military carried out a major strike operation in Venezuela that included bombardment of key military targets around Caracas. U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country to face U.S. federal charges.  • The operation was described by the U.S. as targeting Maduro for alleged narcoterrorism and drug trafficking offenses.  • Maduro has appeared in a U.S. court and pleaded not guilty, and Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been sworn in as interim president.  🪖 Was this an “invasion”? There are important nuances: • This was a direct U.S. military assault on Venezuelan territory, involving airstrikes and special forces. Many observers and international institutions characterize the action as a military intervention and strike, not merely sanctions or diplomatic pressure.  • The U.S. government has claimed it was a law-enforcement action with military support rather than a traditional military invasion, though critics dispute this framing.  • The Trump administration publicly stated it plans to temporarily “run” or oversee Venezuela’s governance and oil industry until a transition to a new government.  • Venezuela’s government denies this was lawful and calls it an act of aggression and abduction.  So while many news outlets do report that U.S. forces struck Venezuela and removed Maduro from power, “invasion” as a legal term is contested and the U.S. claims a narrower justification. The scale of the military action is nonetheless unprecedented in Latin America since the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.  🌍 International reaction • The United Nations Security Council held emergency meetings, and diplomats from countries including France, China, Russia, and several Latin American states condemned the action as a violation of international law.  • The UN Human Rights Office said the strike undermines international norms and sovereignty.  • Many governments called the operation a crime of aggression, while a smaller number expressed some support or hedged their language.  ⚖️ Law and legality International law experts note that: • The UN Charter generally prohibits the use of force against another sovereign state except in clear self-defense or with Security Council authorization. No such authorization appears to exist.  • Critics argue this action potentially breaches core principles of sovereignty and could set a dangerous precedent.  🧠 Current situation inside Venezuela • Maduro’s removal has not ended Venezuelan governance; Delcy Rodríguez is acting as interim president according to Venezuela’s judiciary.  • Venezuela is in a state of emergency, with internal security operations ongoing.  ⸻ In summary: 👉 There has been a real and dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro being captured and taken to the United States.  👉 Whether this counts legally as a “U.S. invasion” is debated — the U.S. calls it a targeted strike with law-enforcement aims, while critics see it as an unlawful military invasion and abduction.  👉 The action has triggered global controversy, legal debate, and geopolitical fallout.