President Donald J. Trump launched military strikes on Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. 

The U.S. military launched a military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, in the early morning. The U.S. captured the Venezuelan president and his wife from Caracas by launching strikes and helicopter landings, removing him from his home country just an hour later. His final destination was New York City, where he now awaits multiple charges for conspiracies of his affiliation with cartels and drug-trafficking.  

“It’s kind of unbelievable to think that it has be to dealt with in the way it’s getting dealt with,” sophomore Georgia Morkovsky said. “Like, is there no more ethical way of doing things?” 

The involvement of the United States with the ongoings within Venezuela has sparked many controversies and differentiating opinions between Venezuelans and Americans. Many believe that the intervention was just another ploy to take control of Venezuela’s surplus of oil, the second time that Trump has placed heavy pressures on the Venezuelan government. A ploy disguised as an action to combat drug smuggling and the removal of an authoritarian leader. The intervention included bombings in the capital, Caracas, targeting airports and military bases, winning the label of an act of war. 

“I feel like it could have been for the oil. The United States, if you look at our history, we try to go for what benefits us,” anonymous source said. “And I know that we’re supposed to be a country that cares for our neighbors and cares for other countries. There has to be some sort of civility with each other, but I do feel that this was going for the oil.” 

While many focus on the shortcomings of the invasion, others have the capability to see the gains that Venezuela can possibly see in their future. In fact, many Venezuelan citizens celebrated the day that Maduro was removed from office, marking the end of a vicious reign. Citizens of the recently devastated Venezuela finding comfort in Trump’s promises to restore prosperity, safety, and security in their home. 

“I think that it (invasion) kind of says that any country can get involved wherever they want, anywhere in the globe,” junior Joseph Arroyo said. “I mean, can you imagine Russia coming to arrest Donalds Trump or America arresting Xi Jinping? It would be really bad for the state of the world.”