Operation Absolute Resolve – a mission to combat crime or a U.S takeover?
- Vardui Chtrkyan
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By: Natali Hayotsyan
On January 3rd, 2026, United States President Donald Trump launched a series of large-scale military strikes on the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, capturing leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. Charged with narco-terrorism, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns, Maduro and Flores are currently being held in the Brooklyn Detention Center of New York, pleading not guilty (Global Conflict Tracker, 2026).
While Operation Absolute Resolve astonished the international community, provoking concern among world leaders, the U.S. government's efforts against Maduro had begun years earlier. Venezuela, one of the largest oil producers in the world, has long been a central and strategic target of U.S. foreign policy, catalyzing tensions between the two nations regarding economic and political endeavors (The Strauss Center).
Specifically, following the nationalization of private oil companies and the succession of socialist Nicolas Maduro as president in 2013, the Venezuelan economy plummeted. With inflation dismantling the currency, communities were left malnourished and lacking proper medical care. Prior to this downfall, Maduro had upheld his socialist promises of social welfare and reducing income inequality during times of economic stability and high oil prices; however, when markets collapsed, the fragility of Maduro’s ideology did as well (Walter Donway, 2019).
Resistance began to arise against Maduro, his socialist policies and ideology shifted into one of a dictator under whom hundreds of citizens disappeared, foreigners became imprisoned, and the powers of the National Assembly were seized (Walter Donway, 2019).
Amidst the domestic instability of Venezuela, the nation's position on the international stage weakened, paving the way for increased foreign pressures, particularly from the United States. What initially began as tariffs on countries importing Venezuelan oil soon escalated into sanctions and naval air strikes. Attempts of the U.S. government to weaken the rising dictatorship of Venezuela took form in a series of executive orders imposed to freeze government assets, restrict oil revenues, limit financial transactions, and target officials involved in corruption, human rights abuses, and illicit trade (U.S. Department of State).
As economic pressure mounted through sanctions, the U.S began to increase its military presence in the Caribbean as well. A naval and air buildup — including positioning warships, aircraft, and personnel placed substantial U.S. assets within range of Venezuelan waters and airspace, signaling heightened pressure on Maduro’s government. Naval strikes successively followed, targeted toward suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers, according to the Trump administration, where 61 individuals were killed (Reuters, 2025). This military escalation set the stage for Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in over a dozen casualties, some of whom were civilians (CSIS, 2026).
The events of January 3rd, 2026, sparked a widespread debate on the legitimacy and legality of U.S. actions. Some UN Council delegates argue that the invasion reflected the use of unilateral force and the erosion of state sovereignty. Others, however, argue that U.S military actions were "exceptional and justified” (UN News, 2026).
Domestically, debates have emerged regarding the intentions of the Trump administration when conducting the invasion, as well as its constitutionality. According to business reporters Archie Mitchell and Natalie Sherman at the BBC, Trump’s intent was not in seeking justice and eliminating drug threats in the region, but rather a ploy at gaining control over Venezuelan oil reserves. Additionally, Congress officials, including Senator Mark Warner, argue that the failure of the executive branch in notifying Congress prior to the attack violated constitutional requirements governing the use of military force (The Hill, 2026).
Works Cited
Berg, R. C., Cancian, M. F., Jr., J. S. B., Jun, J., Ziemer, H., & Park, C. H. (n.d.). Imagery from Venezuela shows a surgical strike, not shock and awe. CSIS. https://www.csis.org/analysis/imagery-venezuela-shows-surgical-strike-not-shock-and-awe
Mitchell, A. (2026, January 5). Trump wants Venezuela’s oil. will his plan work? BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkr4y717k7o
Thomson Reuters. (n.d.). How the US is preparing a Caribbean staging ground near Venezuela. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-CARIBBEAN/MILITARY-BUILDUP/egpbbnzyrpq/
Trump administration informed Gang of eight of Venezuela operation after it started. (n.d.). https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5671149-surprise-operation-maduro-arrest/
United Nations. (n.d.). Maduro seized, norms tested: Security Council divided as Venezuela crisis deepens | UN news. United Nations. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166706
U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/venezuela-related-sanctions
Venezuela’s classic socialist path to poverty and dictatorship, the Atlas Society: Ayn Rand, objectivism, Atlas shrugged. , The Atlas Society | Ayn Rand, Objectivism, Atlas Shrugged. (n.d.). https://www.atlassociety.org/post/venezuelas-classic-socialist-path-to-poverty-and-dictatorship gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21538511930&gbraid=0AAAAABIt7IB1oP40bqkmgMvqiB1njRc0l&gclid=Cj0KCQiAhOfLBhCCARIsAJPiopMf6VLKt-ZTjjukBGLqi81gM1pmwi6HQv8YRuzh3b7gExKkD6DFD-QaAgdLEALw_wcB
Venezuela. The Strauss Center. (n.d.). https://www.strausscenter.org/energy-and-security-project/venezuela/
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