Why Did The US Attack Venezuela?

In the early hours of January 3rd, 2026, yet another military escalation by the US on Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, was executed. US President Donald Trump claimed that this attack was "necessary" due to the exceeding "narco-terrorist" threats posed by Venezuela. But is "narco-terrorism" the real reason behind the attack?

Background: US-Venezuela Relations

Due to the increasing socialist sentiments in Venezuela, under its President Nicolás Maduro and former President Hugo Chávez, the long-standing US-Venezuela economic relations have witnessed a strain. From ExxonMobil, a leading US oil and gas company, being the highest producer of Venezuelan Oil, to the nationalisation of the oil industry in Venezuela, the oil reserves have been a source of conflict.

The relation between the two countries has also been rocky due to the Venezuelan Narcotics production and distribution, which the we have condemned on several instances in the past.

The Attack: Nicolás Maduro's Arrest

US

The US attacked seven military bases in Caracas in the early hours of 3rd January. These sites were a strategic choice, mainly due to their location, to weaken the military retaliation by the Venezuelan army. The U.S. Air Force and Navy were reported to have deployed over 150 aircraft from at least 20 different bases, indicating the scale of the operation.

Simultaneously with the air strikes, U.S. Special Operations forces, understood to include units like Delta Force and CIA covert teams, carried out a rapid helicopter insertion near Nicolás Maduro’s residence or compound. Within about two and a half hours, the raid concluded, and the captive pair -Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores- were flown to the USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship positioned off the Venezuelan coast. From there, they were transported to the United States to face federal drug-trafficking and “narco-terrorism” charges in New York.

Possible Reasons for the Attack

1. Control Over Energy Resources

Venezuela proves to be a hub of natural resources, especially crude oil and natural gas. The US allegedly sees Venezuela as a strategic location for regaining control over the Oil Market. U.S. officials stated that Venezuela’s oil sector had been “mismanaged and corrupted” and that restoring it was essential for “regional and global energy security.”

2. Initiation For a Regime Change

The U.S. has long questioned the legitimacy of Venezuela’s leadership and electoral processes. According to the US, Venezuela needs regime change and a democratic setup. The U.S. has long questioned the legitimacy of Venezuela’s leadership and electoral processes.

3. Protection of allied interests

Instability in Venezuela poses risks to neighboring states, particularly Guyana, where major U.S. oil investments exist. U.S. officials emphasized their commitment to “defending partners and allies in the region against aggression and instability.”

Conclusion

The attack has left Venezuela at a critical crossroads, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez installed as interim president amid deep political uncertainty and international pressure. As the country grapples with the fallout, Nicolás Maduro now faces trial in the United States, with court proceedings scheduled to begin in the coming weeks, ensuring that the consequences of the operation will extend far beyond the battlefield.