US Military Strikes in Venezuela and Associated Reactions
A recent US military operation in Venezuela has stirred significant developments and responses. Early Saturday, US forces launched a large-scale strike involving elements of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, with explosions reported in Caracas and low-flying aircraft seen in the area. President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were reportedly taken into custody during the operation, according to statements attributed to President Donald Trump. Trump described the operation as successful, conducted in cooperation with US law enforcement, with Maduro allegedly captured and flown out of the country.
The Venezuelan government condemned the attack as a grave act of military aggression aimed at seizing the country’s natural resources and vowed to defend its sovereignty. This strike followed prior US actions targeting alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
In the wake of the strikes, the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team announced they are unaware of the status of their players currently in Venezuela, including Jackson Chourio, Andruw Monasterio, and Jeferson Quero. Brewers president of baseball operations Matt Arnold noted limited information and airport shutdowns as the team follows up on the situation.
The situation in Venezuela remains a focal point in geopolitical tensions, highlighted by the country’s vast oil reserves estimated at about 300 billion barrels, surpassing Saudi Arabia’s proven reserves. However, Venezuela’s oil reserves consist largely of heavy and extra-heavy crude, requiring specialized equipment, and the country’s refining capacity has deteriorated due to underinvestment and loss of skilled labor.
Former President Donald Trump has stated that US energy companies would play a key role in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector, committing billions to that effort.
Martina Navratilova expressed support for criminal International Criminal Court (ICC) sanctions against US oil companies expropriating Venezuelan oil, through a social-media post linked to journalist Lauren Windsor. Navratilova also commented on the operation leading to Maduro’s capture and US remarks about Venezuela’s power transition.
Additionally, the report notes recent visits by officials from Wall Street firms involved in finance, energy, and defense sectors to Venezuela following recent strikes, emphasizing Venezuela's continuing significance in international affairs.
