On the night of January 3, 2026, the world was reminded once again that global politics is rarely quiet. The United States carried out a series of strikes on Venezuelan territory - including air attacks and hits on key sites, some of them near Caracas. Eyewitnesses reported explosions, smoke and military aircraft in the sky, DKNews.kz reports.
At the same time, U.S. President Donald Trump said that during the operation Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and taken out of the country. On social media, he called it a “successful special operation.”
Independent confirmation was scarce at first - but Washington’s rhetoric made one thing clear: power has become the main instrument.
Oil as a factor - and as a pretext
U.S. policy toward Venezuela has long relied on two pillars:
- sanctions pressure
- diplomatic isolation
Now a force component has been added.
At the center of everything is oil. Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven reserves, yet access to them is limited by sanctions, infrastructure collapse and political instability.
For Caracas, this means:
- restricted access to global markets
- difficulties exporting crude
- growing dependence on alternative partners
For Washington, it is part of a broader Western Hemisphere strategy: controlling energy flows, shaping regional regimes and redistributing leverage.
What Maduro’s capture could mean
If Trump’s claim is fully confirmed, Venezuela could face:
- a power vacuum
- internal struggle among elites
- stronger external influence
For the United States, it becomes another test of international legitimacy.
The risk is obvious: one wrong move could turn the situation into a prolonged crisis - much like Iraq or Libya.
Global impact: oil markets on edge
Escalation around Venezuela is not only geopolitics.
It brings:
- swings in oil prices
- nervous financial markets
- rising global uncertainty
The longer the conflict lasts, the more investor confidence may erode, especially in emerging markets.
Venezuela once again finds itself at the crossroads of:
- big oil
- big power politics
- and big risks
The situation keeps evolving - statements are becoming tougher, and the stakes are rising.
And the key question remains: who will run the country - and what will it mean for the world.
