Trump's Gamble Pays Off But Global Backlash Looms

WASHINGTON/CARACAS: President Donald Trump’s bold strategy succeeded as US Delta Force executed a pre-dawn raid on January 3, 2026, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. Maduro’s regime collapsed, with Trump announcing the US would temporarily “run” Venezuela to harness its vast oil reserves for American companies.

Global Backlash

Trump hailed it a victory for democracy and security, projecting unchallenged US power. However, the move eroded global trust, sparking resentment in a divided world. While Western allies offered tacit support, France and others condemned the sovereignty violation at the UN, warning of unforeseen blowback.

This echoes US history in Latin America: the 1954 CIA coup in Guatemala protecting corporate interests and the 1989 Panama invasion ousting Noriega on drug charges. Roots trace to Hugo Chávez’s 2006 UN speech branding George W. Bush “the devil,” fueling decades of sanctions culminating in Trump’s strike. Analysts question long-term stability amid brewing international tensions.

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