Donald Trump characterised the US attack on Venezuela not as military action, but as law enforcement to capture “fugitive of American justice” president Nicolas Maduro. He is dangerously turning back the clock to another era, reasserting the imperial principle of might is right in carving up spheres of influence. Now Trump is promising “to run” Venezuela until a new government is installed, giving US oil companies free rein to take over the country’s vast oilfields. This is no simple arrest operation, but how Trump can achieve his goals is far from clear with a confusing political picture in Caracas. Interim leader and former vice-president Delcy Rodriguez has attacked the US action, but Washington may feel that she will toe the US line.

Source: The Irish Times January 04, 2026 21:50 UTC