{"id":387125,"date":"2026-01-04T06:39:18","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T06:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/387125\/"},"modified":"2026-01-04T06:39:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T06:39:18","slug":"canadas-response-to-overnight-us-military-action-in-venezuela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/387125\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada’s response to overnight US military action in Venezuela"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"trump,<\/a>US has removed Venezuela’s president by military force on Jan 3, 2026. [Composite: US President Donald Trump; Venezuela President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro]
\n \"CANADIAN<\/a> <\/p>\n

Saturday January 3, 2026 | USA-CANADA NEWS [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC \u2013 Posted at 6:18 pm PT \/ Updated 6:34 pm & 7:35 pm PT]<\/p>\n

Editorial news analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends<\/p>\n

Overnight Friday into today, the US military captured the president of Argentina and his wife using military force, delivering them to the United States around 5:30 pm Eastern.<\/p>\n

The reason for removing Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and wife Celia Flores from their country was given as having to do with a charge of narco-terrorism against Maduro. It\u2019s yet unclear at level of court will Maduro be tried for the alleged crimes.<\/p>\n

\"Nicolas<\/a>President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro with his wife Cilia Flores [file\/web]<\/p>\n

In the last few weeks US attacks on boats carrying drugs from Venezuela headed for the US have made international news.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s action:<\/p>\n

Trump described the military action last night and today as by \u201cair, land and sea \u2026 a spectacular assault\u201d against a \u201cheavily fortified military fortress in the heart of Caracas\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"trump,<\/a>US President Donald Trump delivering a press conference on the US capture of Venezuelan President Maduro on Jan 3 2026. [web]<\/p>\n

Trump was speaking at a live press conference around 4 pm Eastern to describe the action that the US had taken.<\/p>\n

Today trump said: \u201cWe\u2019re going to take back the oil that frankly we should have taken back a long time ago.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"caracas<\/a>Map showing the geography for travel between Caracas and New York. [Google map]<\/p>\n

Trump was accompanied by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Minister of War Pete Hegseth.<\/p>\n

The US position stated at today\u2019s press conference is to see a safe transition of power in the Argentina, saying that Argentinian vice president Delcy Rodriguez is on board with the US perspective.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Rodriguez today gave a press conference about upholding Argentina against the United States and the American oil interests.<\/p>\n

\"book<\/a><\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s response:<\/p>\n

First, a brief statement was issued by Canada\u2019 Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand earlier today in which there is no support for Argentina\u2019s leader but remarks on boundaries broken by the United States.<\/p>\n

\"anita<\/a>Canada\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand [ 2025 \/ file]<\/p>\n

Her statement included that Canada has \u201crefused to recognize any legitimacy of the Maduro regime and opposed its repression of the Venezuelan people, including the persecution of dissenters and particularly political leaders opposed to the regime.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn keeping with our long-standing commitment to upholding the rule of law and democracy, Canada calls on all parties to respect international law and we stand by the people of Venezuela and their desire to live in a peaceful and democratic society,\u201d said Anand.<\/p>\n

\"Carney,<\/a>Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in support of US President Donald Trump at the signing of a Middle East ceasefire peace agreement in Egypt, Oct 13, 2025. [CBC livestream]<\/p>\n

Then around 5:15 pm Eastern (2:15 pm PT) Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement in social media that speaks against Maduro and for the right of Venezuelan people to choose their government, while also advising about respect for international law. Here is Prime Minister Mark Carney\u2019s statement, which after 45 minutes had over 117,000 views on X:<\/p>\n

\"mark<\/a>Prime Minister Mark Carney\u2019s first remarks about the overtaking of Argentina\u2019s leader by the United States, Jan 3, 2026. [X]<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the first actions taken by Canada\u2019s new government in March 2025 was to impose additional sanctions on Nicol\u00e1s Maduro\u2019s brutally oppressive and criminal regime \u2014 unequivocally condemning his grave breaches of international peace and security, gross and systematic human rights violations, and corruption. Canada has not recognised the illegitimate regime of Maduro since it stole the 2018 election. The Canadian government therefore welcomes the opportunity for freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity for the Venezuelan people.<\/p>\n

\u201cCanada has long supported a peaceful, negotiated, and Venezuelan-led transition process that respects the democratic will of the Venezuelan people. In keeping with our long-standing commitment to upholding the rule of law, sovereignty, and human rights, Canada calls on all parties to respect international law. We stand by the Venezuelan people\u2019s sovereign right to decide and build their own future in a peaceful and democratic society. <\/p>\n

\u201cCanada attaches great importance to resolution of crises through multilateral engagement and is in close contact with international partners about ongoing developments. We are first and foremost ready to assist Canadians through our consular officials and our embassy in Bogot\u00e1, Colombia, and will continue to support Venezuelan refugees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"monk<\/a><\/p>\n

Poilievre\u2019s response:<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Canada\u2019s official opposition leader \u2014 Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre (whose wife is from Venezuela) \u2014 was quite forthright about the US capturing Maduro, with a theme of anti-socialism:<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations to President Trump on successfully arresting narco-terrorist and socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro, who should live out his days in prison,\u201d said Poilievre in a post in social media today. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe legitimate winner of the most recent Venezuelan elections, Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez, should take office along with the courageous hero and voice of the Venezuelan people, Mar\u00eda Corina Machado. Down with socialism. Long live freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"pierre<\/a>Canada\u2019s Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre\u2019s statement about the US capturing the Venezuelan president, Jan 3, 2026. [X]<\/p>\n

After 10 hours online, Poilievere\u2019s post on Saturday-morning post had received over 3 million views on X.<\/p>\n

Trump today handily dismissed Machado (recent winner of a Nobel peace prize for her work in Venezuela) as a reasonable choice for leading Venezuela, saying she doesn\u2019t have a enough support.<\/p>\n

\"island<\/a><\/p>\n

Canadian pundits:<\/p>\n

Analysis in national media streams today included a few main themes about the action taken by the US against Venezuela:<\/p>\n

That the overstory is about narco-terrorism, but that more deeply the US wants to control Venezuela\u2019s oil (Trump himself said today that the US will \u201ctake back\u201d oil from Venezuela) <\/p>\n

That today\u2019s action by the US in Venezuela is part of a openly spoken broader US Trumpian vision for the US to dominate the western hemisphere.<\/p>\n

That Trump\u2019s MAGA base of voters in the US were promised more \u2018America first\u2019 and might see the Venezuelan event as starting yet another war abroad.<\/p>\n

\"ist<\/a>Island Social Trends weekly ENEWS \u2014 a gift to last through 2026! Keen insights for informed community leaders. Sign up for a Premium ENews Subscription: Individual, Small Teams or Corporate.<\/p>\n

Editorial analsysis:<\/p>\n

As editorial analysis for Island Social Trends readers, we review various aspects of this news today.<\/p>\n

There is indeed a problem of drugs coming into the United States that is causing harm and death to many Americans; Venezuela is one location of the source of illicit drugs.<\/p>\n

Both the US and Canada have questioned the legitimacy of Maduro\u2019s last two election wins (2018 and 2024). Canada has not expressed outrage at the US taking action against Maduro but does remind about recogizing and honouring the international order (aka rule of law \/ democratic and sovereign rights of all nations). <\/p>\n

This is in fact about \u2018America first\u2019. The US interest in the large amount of oil in Venezuela is economic warfare in favour of the United States. Today Trump said that boosting oil production in Venezuela will make the population there \u201crich, independent and safe\u201d. Of course, US oil companies operating in Venezuela will benefit by this which could be seen as benefiting the mainstream American economy (if one subscribes to the trickle-down effect). <\/p>\n

\"oil<\/a>Oil reserves by country. [Visual Capitalist \u2013 June 2025]<\/p>\n

Canada should take seriously the relative ease with which the US under Trump\u2019s leadership goes after what it wants. The US seems to be escalating their view of determining where they will get their natural resources and by what means.<\/p>\n

The heavy oil that is so abundant in Venezuela is the same type of oil that is predominantly resourced in Alberta. As the US proceeds with their oil interests in Venezuela this will put that source in direct competition with Canada\u2019s oil sector.<\/p>\n

Canada is geographically situated smack in the middle of an arctic zone around which are clustered three adversaries: United States, Russia and China. <\/p>\n

\"map,<\/a>View of the world map with the Arctic region as the focal point. [Google]<\/p>\n

Denmark\u2019s territory of Greenland (which Trump has openly eyed as an area for conquest given the critical minerals present there) is geographically adjacent to Canada. Carney has wasted no time in his first year in office to pump up solid relations withe European nations and the NATO alliance which includes the Scandavian region.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s continued high profile support for Ukraine is a way of protecting the interests of western democracy should there be further eastward incursion from Russia into Ukraine and Europe beyond.<\/p>\n

Canada\u2019s deep potential wealth in the energy sector (e.g. critical minerals, oil, LNG, hydroelectricity) and also in being a skilled and educated country should not be underestimated as a prize that Trump may still want under his thumb as \u2018the 51st state\u2019.<\/p>\n

Trump today handily dismissing Venezuela Opposition Leader Machado as a reasonable choice for leading Venezuela is a clear indication that their is no ideological interest in maintaining democracy in Venezuela \u2014 it\u2019s almost entirely about access to oil in that country; Trump today said that US will stay in control of Venezuela \u201cuntil a safe, cautious, judicious transition\u201d is possible.<\/p>\n

Carney has played it politically safe for Canada \u2014 he did not come out against the use of military force to remove Maduro from Venezeula by force.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for Canadians to really see and fully appreciate what we have in this country and not continue to believe that there is no threat to this amazing country. In Venezuela it may have taken military force, but for Canada the pressure from the US is already on its way making inroads economically and politically.<\/p>\n

There are about 785 Canadians living in Venezuela. There is a strong diaspora population of Venezuelans living in Canada. Today there were rallies in Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg in support of democracy for Venezuela.<\/p>\n

Note about the news media\u2019s role:<\/p>\n

Despite the criticism by some political factions in Canada about so-called \u2018mainstream media\u2019 being a mouthpiece for government, it should be noted that without the mainstream networks there would be no eyes on the ground or real-time coverage of significant events.<\/p>\n

Journalists who work on the front lines of news media \u2014 including reporters and camera operators and their production studios \u2014 are one of the few defences that Canadians (all people) have against monolithic government.<\/p>\n

Democracy matters and journalists with outlets large, medium and small, are part of the defenders of that treasured aspect of society.<\/p>\n

On this New Year\u2019s long weekend there was additional pressure on media of all sizes to cover this story in real time.<\/p>\n

\"ist<\/a>Get your news straight from the source, not social media. Local, provincial and federal news and analysis posted daily at IslandSocialTrends.ca. <\/p>\n

===== RELATED:<\/p>\n

NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-NATIONAL<\/a> | CANADA-USA<\/a> | USA-GLOBAL<\/a> | COALITION OF THE WILLING<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"US has removed Venezuela’s president by military force on Jan 3, 2026. [Composite: US President Donald Trump; Venezuela…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":387126,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[49,48,83334,44,1671,5046,19235,14767],"class_list":["post-387125","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-canada","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-main-politics","tag-news","tag-north-america","tag-prime-minister-mark-carney","tag-south-america","tag-us-president-donald-trump"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/387125","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=387125"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/387125\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/387126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=387125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=387125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=387125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}