US Military Operation in Venezuela: Abduction of Maduro and Escalating Tensions

Severity: High (Score: 75.0)

Sources: Atlanticcouncil, www.whitehouse.gov, Swp-Berlin, www.npr.org, www.dgfir.de

Summary

On January 3, 2026, the US conducted a military operation named 'Absolute Resolve' that resulted in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. The operation led to approximately 100 fatalities, including members of the Venezuelan security forces and civilians, with no US casualties reported. Following this, the US imposed a fuel blockade on Cuba, which heavily relied on Venezuelan oil imports. President Trump has expressed intentions to exert control over Cuba, escalating tensions in the region. Legal experts have indicated that the US actions violate international law, prompting calls from Germany and the EU for a firm stance against these violations. The humanitarian situation in Cuba has deteriorated significantly due to the blockade. The situation remains fluid with ongoing discussions about the legitimacy of the US's actions and their implications for international law. Key Points: • The US military operation 'Absolute Resolve' led to the abduction of Venezuelan President Maduro. • Approximately 100 people were killed during the operation, including civilians and military personnel. • The US has imposed a blockade on Cuba, worsening the humanitarian crisis there.

Key Entities

• Absolute Resolve (campaign)
• Plan Colombia (campaign)
• Plan Venezuela (campaign)
• Bolivarian Republic Of Venezuela (country)
• Colombia (country)
• Cuba (country)
• Germany (country)
• Greenland (country)
• swp-berlin.org (domain)
• Energy (industry)