Trump's Unprecedented Military Action in Venezuela: Maduro Captured Amid Global Outcry

The US is now effectively "running" Venezuela. In a stunning move on January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump confirmed the capture of President Nicolas Maduro following heavy military strikes on Caracas. While the White House frames this as a necessary strike against narco-terrorism, legal experts and political rivals are calling it an illegal act of war.

The Justification Behind Trump's US Military Action in Venezuela

President Trump told reporters that Maduro was seized to stop a deadly campaign of drug trafficking against the United States. He promised a transition that would make Venezuela "rich and safe," essentially announcing a US-led administration for the South American nation. Allies like Congressman Tom Cotton lauded the move, describing Maduro as an illegitimate dictator who ran a vast criminal enterprise.

However, the backdrop to this escalation includes months of heavy pressure. The US had already been seizing oil vessels and sanctioning Maduro's inner circle. Critics argue the administration's claims of drug links were never supported by concrete evidence, while Maduro himself had previously accused Washington of simply wanting to control Venezuela’s massive oil reserves.

Legal Experts Slam "Illegal Use of Force"

International law scholars aren't mincing words. Claire Finkelstein, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told Al Jazeera there's no basis under international law for the overnight attacks. She characterized the strikes as a violation of both Venezuelan sovereignty and Maduro’s personal rights. Under the UN Charter, states are prohibited from using force against the territorial integrity of another nation without provocation.

Domestically, the Democratic Party is challenging the lack of congressional oversight. Representative Gregory Meeks argued that there was no imminent threat to justify bypassing Congress's power to declare war. He stated that these actions violate US law, setting a dangerous precedent for unilateral executive military action.