Trump’s Venezuela Military Intervention 2026: Maduro Abduction and the Greenland Power Play

A sovereign leader is in custody, and the world is on edge. Following the lightning-fast abduction of Nicolas Maduro by US military forces, Venezuela’s interim leader is drawing a line in the sand. On January 6, 2026, Delcy Rodriguez declared that "no foreign agent" is running the country, even as Washington signals a long-term plan to reshape the nation's future.

Rodriguez Asserts Sovereignty Amid Military Fallout

The military operation, which occurred without a declaration of war or UN Security Council resolution, has left a trail of blood. Venezuela released a list of 24 soldiers killed in the pre-dawn assault, while Cuba confirmed the loss of 32 military members. Rodriguez has declared a seven-day period of mourning, while the prosecutor general condemned the act as "illegal armed aggression of a terrorist nature."

In Caracas, the situation is agonizingly tense. While state-organized rallies show support for the government, many residents remain shuttered in their homes. Security forces and paramilitaries are reportedly searching cars and checking private social media messages, heightening fears of a massive crackdown on dissent.

Geopolitical Dominance: From Oil to Greenland

President Donald Trump has praised the abduction as an "amazing military feat." While Secretary of State Marco Rubio walked back Trump's claim that the US would "run" the country, the administration's intent to use sanctions and an embargo to control Venezuela's oil industry is clear.

The White House is also expanding its threats. Trump has hinted at military action against Colombia and has once again floated the idea of seizing Greenland. This move is part of a national security strategy to re-establish US "pre-eminence" in the Western Hemisphere. European allies, including France and Germany, have denounced the rhetoric, reminding Washington that an attack on Greenland—a NATO territory—would trigger a collective defense response.