On the morning of Jan. 3rd, 2026, the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife were captured by the United States military. Americans who are less politically active might be confused as to why America would attack Venezuela.
President Maduro had ruled Venezuela as an authoritarian since 2013, after being designated by the previous president, Chávez, to be his successor. Under his leadership, American relations have been strained over the topics of oil and human rights. Then, in Sept. 2025, the United States began bombing Venezuelan vessels over alleged drug smuggling. Tensions have been escalating since these attacks started. They reached new heights as Trump ordered the American military to capture the Venezuelan president. Despite the troubling relationship between Maduro and Venezuelans, some questions surrounding the president’s authority and handling of the situation remain.
Early in his presidency, he said he was anti-war. However, the recent events in Venezuela and Iran, as well as the president’s continued comments regarding Greenland, Mexico, Canada and Panama, seem to be in contrast. Congress held a vote to limit the president’s power in regards to a “special military conflict” in Venezuela, but the bill was killed before it could be finalized.
