Caracas: The latest operation carried out by the United States in Venezuela took place against the backdrop of long-standing security and governance problems in the region. In recent years, discussions have intensified about Venezuela’s transformation into a key link in transnational drug trafficking routes, a process that has had a negative impact on both domestic stability and the security of neighboring states. The incident, which happened precisely in this context, is being assessed as a step taken by Washington to curb illegal activities in the region and bring risks under control.
According to Azeri-Press news agency, the issue of utilizing Venezuela’s rich energy resources continues to remain on the international agenda. The long-standing economic crisis, institutional weakness, and transparency problems have limited the impact of these resources on the country’s economy and the population’s social well-being. The latest operation has once again brought existing concerns on this issue to the forefront, raising questions about Venezuela’s role in regional economic and political processes.
Political commentators from both regions interpret the U.S. move from different perspectives, assessing the possible consequences of what has occurred in terms of both regional security and the broader geopolitical balance. American political commentator Peter Tase explained that the successful operation carried out by U.S. special forces in Caracas on January 3 clearly revealed President Donald Trump’s foreign policy doctrine toward the American continent. The operation demonstrated Washington’s intention to reassert its strategic superiority in Latin America and the Caribbean basin.
Tase noted that by cutting off the flow and export of Venezuelan oil to the industrial sector of the People’s Republic of China, the Trump administration sent a clear message to Beijing and Tehran about the United States’ dominance in the region. This operation, known as ‘Absolute Resolve,’ utilized electronic warfare and special operations forces to showcase U.S. military professionalism and superiority.
The political commentator further elaborated that the capture of Nicol¡s Maduro was linked to his ties with Moscow, Hezbollah, and authoritarian governance practices in Venezuela. Tase highlighted that the situation in the region remains unstable, with U.S. Navy assets on high alert in the southern Caribbean Sea, and Washington closely monitoring drug networks in Mexico and Colombia.
Tase mentioned that the U.S. plans to establish a military base in Paraguay to strengthen efforts against drug trafficking linked to Maduro’s circle, thus weakening Venezuela’s role as a regional stronghold for Beijing. Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s deployment of armed units near the Venezuelan border indicates rising regional tensions.
Latin American political commentator Pedro Escobar Medina remarked that the U.S. military operation in Venezuela has revived debates on Washington’s policy toward Caracas. He emphasized that the motivations behind the operation extend beyond oil, focusing on global power balance, security, and strategic interests.
Escobar Medina pointed out Venezuela’s instability, dismantled state institutions, and its ties with extra-regional powers as significant concerns. The U.S. operation, he argued, aims to restore leverage and signal that prolonged stagnation is unacceptable. He further noted that U.S. energy independence reduces reliance on Venezuelan oil, making geopolitics and security the primary motivations behind the operation.
Escobar Medina concluded that the operation reflects a doctrine aimed at preventing rival power centers in the American continent. He described China’s approach as pragmatic and unlikely to confront Washington over Venezuela, while Russia is limited to symbolic gestures due to other commitments.
In conclusion, the U.S. operation in Venezuela cannot be explained by a single motive. It reflects a mix of security concerns, geopolitical rivalry, and frustration with ineffective policy tools. The focus has shifted from oil to power, influence, and regional order, with the long-term resolution of Venezuela’s crisis dependent on credible political solutions supported by the international community.