𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐙𝐔𝐄𝐋𝐀 – 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃
A New Flashpoint in Latin America
Venezuela has once again emerged as the epicentre of a major global geopolitical confrontation. While Washington frames its actions as a counter–narco-terrorism operation, a significant portion of the international community views them as a direct and unlawful military assault on a sovereign state.
The reported large-scale U.S. air and ground operations triggered powerful explosions across Caracas, widespread electricity blackouts, and public panic. According to U.S. announcements, the operation culminated in the capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from the country.
These developments have reignited fundamental debates over international law, state sovereignty, and unilateral military intervention, echoing some of the most controversial chapters of post–Cold War geopolitics.
Russia at the UN Security Council: ‘Outright Piracy’
At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council, Russia’s Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzya delivered a forceful condemnation of U.S. actions against Venezuela.
Russia accused Washington of:
• Imposing an illegal naval blockade on Venezuela
• Seizing Venezuelan oil tankers on the high seas
• Militarising the Caribbean under the pretext of counterterrorism and anti-drug operations
Nebenzya characterised these actions as “outright piracy” and a clear violation of the UN Charter and international maritime law. He warned that Latin America, long recognised as a “Zone of Peace,” risks destabilisation if such practices become normalised.
The ‘Narco-Terrorism’ Charge: Law or Political Weapon?
At the core of Washington’s justification lies its designation of the Venezuelan leadership as a narco-terrorist organisation.
U.S. authorities claim that President Maduro faces indictments in the Southern District of New York for:
• Narco-terrorism conspiracy
• Cocaine trafficking into the United States
• Possession of machine guns and destructive devices
However, Russia, China, and numerous independent analysts reject these charges as politically instrumentalised legal tools, arguing that they serve as a convenient pretext for regime change rather than genuine law enforcement.
Caracas Under Fire
Just hours after New Year celebrations, at approximately 2:00 a.m., Caracas was jolted awake by a series of explosions.
Eyewitnesses reported:
• Missile-like strikes
• Low-flying fighter jets and helicopters
• City-wide power outages
Reported targets included:
• Fort Tiuna Army Base (home to the Ministry of Defence)
• La Carlota Air Base
• La Guaira Port
• Areas surrounding the Miraflores Presidential Palace
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello condemned the operation as a “criminal terrorist attack” on military infrastructure and civilian life, urging citizens to remain calm and trust the country’s political and military leadership.
Maduro Captured – Arrest or Abduction?
The U.S. administration has announced that President Maduro and his wife were captured during the operation and transferred out of Venezuela to face trial in American courts.
In contrast, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated that their whereabouts remain unknown and demanded proof of life, describing the incident as an illegal kidnapping and a grave violation of international law.
United Kingdom and Europe: Strategic Distance and Silence
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer swiftly distanced Britain from the operation, emphasising that:
• The UK had no involvement in the strikes
• The situation remains fast-moving
• International law must be upheld
While some European politicians have condemned the operation, Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev accused the European Union of double standards, arguing that principles of sovereignty are selectively enforced depending on whether violations are committed by U.S. allies or adversaries.
The Return of the Regime-Change Playbook
Political analysts have drawn direct parallels between Venezuela and previous U.S.-led interventions:
• Panama – Manuel Noriega (capture and trial in the U.S.)
• Iraq – Saddam Hussein (invasion, capture, execution)
• Libya – Muammar Gaddafi (NATO intervention and state collapse)
Venezuela now appears to represent a new iteration of this doctrine:
Strike – Capture – Prosecute
Critics warn that this model undermines the foundations of international order by allowing powerful states to unilaterally determine the fate of foreign leaders.
Oil, Resources, and Power Politics
Behind the legal and security rhetoric lies Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and mineral wealth. Critics argue that control over strategic resources remains the true driving force, with regime change serving as a mechanism to restructure global energy and economic power.
A Dangerous Precedent
The events unfolding in Venezuela raise profound questions:
• When does sovereignty cease to apply?
• Is international law reserved only for the weak?
• What protections remain for smaller states in a unipolar world?
As Russia and China call for dialogue and restraint, the global community is once again confronted with the spectre of power politics overriding the rule of law.
Written by: Eelaththu Nilavan
Tamil National Historian | Analyst of Global Politics, Economics, Intelligence & Military Affairs
04/01/2026
