IT HASN’T been a week and 2026 is off to a loud start. As of January 3, 2026, the United States had bombed Caracas and abducted Venezuela’s President. Many might condemn Donald Trump for this action, but the United States is playing the same game that China and Russia play.
The only important question is not whether it is right or wrong, but whether the US succeeds in its goals. By capturing Maduro, the US is probably 70% on its way there. The Maduro regime still has control on the ground, but most doubt they can hold on to power, especially if an election is held soon.
What happened in Venezuela is realpolitik, pure and simple. The Americans cannot tolerate Chinese and Russians influence in South America, any more than Russia can tolerate NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) influence over Ukraine.
It’s also why China is trying to spread its power over the First Island Chain and South East Asia. That is how this works. Before a power can project itself on the world, it must secure its backyard, and America is doing just that.
The United States say that this is about illicit drugs flowing into their country. That is only partly true. The more conspiracy minded would argue that it is about oil. That is also only partly true. The real reason is that America cannot let China and Russia (and their allies) deliver weapons or building infrastructure in their neighborhood. That could lead to the Cuban Missile Crisis 2.0.
So they are attacking now.
And it won’t end there. The United States will have to eventually make sure that all South American countries are on its side. That is a requirement for the ongoing geo-strategic situation: the Second Cold War.
The big question is, will China and Russia intervene other than make noise? If they cannot then that is proof that they are not as strong as they claim. If they do decide to give it a shot, though, well, grab popcorn./PN
