{"id":221249,"date":"2026-01-05T07:50:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T07:50:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/221249\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T07:50:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T07:50:07","slug":"monday-briefing-why-the-us-moved-to-oust-venezuelas-president-venezuela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/221249\/","title":{"rendered":"Monday briefing: Why the US moved to oust Venezuela\u2019s president | Venezuela"},"content":{"rendered":"

Good morning. Over the weekend, the US attacked Venezuela with a series of airstrikes<\/a> and captured the country\u2019s leader, Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, along with his wife, Cilia Flores, seizing them from their bedrooms and flying them to New York on Saturday evening. Donald Trump announced that the US would \u201crun\u201d Venezuela<\/a> for an unspecified period.<\/p>\n

Perhaps most striking was how explicit Trump was about the reasoning behind the military action. He said the aim was for US companies to take control of Venezuela\u2019s oil infrastructure<\/a> for their own benefit. \u201cWe have the greatest oil companies in the world, the biggest, the greatest, and we\u2019re going to be very much involved in it,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n

The US president also told reporters that Venezuela\u2019s vice-president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, would remain in power only so long as she \u201cdoes what we want\u201d. He threatened a second, larger wave of military strikes if the country\u2019s leaders refused to comply.<\/p>\n

Venezuelan officials have vowed defiance<\/a>. At least 40 people, including civilians and soldiers, were reportedly killed in Saturday\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n

How did we get here, and what happens next for Venezuela? Today, I speak to the Guardian\u2019s Latin America correspondent, Tom Phillips. That\u2019s after the headlines.<\/p>\n

Five big stories<\/p>\n

Venezuela | The prospect of the United States seizing direct control of Venezuela appeared to recede<\/a> on Sunday after the shocking seizure of President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro \u2013 but US officials said Washington was keeping a 15,000-strong force in the Caribbean and might make a fresh military intervention if Venezuela\u2019s interim president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, did not accommodate their demands.<\/p>\n

EU | Keir Starmer has said closer ties with the EU single market<\/a> are preferable to a customs union in his clearest sign yet that the UK government is seeking to further deepen links with Brussels.<\/p>\n

Weather | Transport delays, treacherous driving conditions and school closures will greet many people as they return to work and study after the Christmas break, with winter weather warnings in place across the UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Crans-Montana fire | Investigators have identified the last 16 people<\/a> who died in the New Year\u2019s Eve bar fire at the Swiss mountain resort of Crans-Montana, police said on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Germany | German leftwing militants protesting over the climate crisis and AI have claimed responsibility<\/a> for an arson attack that cut power to tens of thousands of households in Berlin.<\/p>\n

In depth: \u2018The images look like Baghdad in 2003\u2019Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela\u2019s largest military complex, in flames after a series of explosions. Photograph: AFP\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

The relationship between the US and Venezuela began to deteriorate in the late 1990s, following the election of the now deceased socialist firebrand Hugo Ch\u00e1vez. According to Tom Phillips, an early, US-backed attempt to remove Ch\u00e1vez in a 2002 coup deepened suspicion and hostility on both sides.<\/p>\n

But after Ch\u00e1vez died of cancer in 2013, relations worsened significantly with the election of Nicol\u00e1s Maduro as president. \u201cHe then led the country rapidly into economic meltdown, a mass migration crisis, and in an increasingly authoritarian direction,\u201d Tom says, pointing in particular to the controversial 2018 election result<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In 2019, shortly after Maduro was sworn in for a second term, the Trump administration launched what it called a \u201cmaximum pressure\u201d campaign, combining sweeping sanctions with repeated military threats and an early effort to topple him.<\/p>\n

There had been signs of a thaw at the start of Trump\u2019s second term. The US sent a special envoy, Richard Grenell, to Caracas for talks, deportation flights continued until very recently, and oil production involving the US company Chevron carried on. But tensions escalated sharply in the months running-up to this attack. Trump had sought a blockade of Venezuelan oil, expanded sanctions against the Maduro government, and staged more than two dozen strikes on vessels the US alleges were involved in trafficking drugs, killing more than 110 people.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone is flabbergasted that this has happened,\u201d Tom says. \u201cThere have been months of threats and significant military hardware deployed to the region. But most observers, and probably Maduro himself, thought this was a bluff or a negotiating tactic to force him from power or trigger a military coup.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead, it\u2019s come to this, in such a spectacular fashion. The images from Saturday look like Baghdad in 2003.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drill baby drill<\/p>\n

In 2020, a US federal court indicted Maduro on narco-terrorism and other charges, accusing him of running a scheme to ship tonnes of cocaine to the US through what prosecutors described as the Cartel de los Soles. Maduro has always denied the allegations. The superseding indictment unsealed last weekend<\/a>, immediately after his capture, closely mirrors those 2020 charges. After Maduro and his wife arrived in New York, the Trump administration released images of his arrival into custody, known as a \u201cperp walk.\u201d The move was widely seen as an effort to further discredit him as Venezuela\u2019s leader.<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s team has sought to frame the operation as a war on drug trafficking. But how credible is that explanation?<\/p>\n

\u201cMaduro is widely believed to have stolen the 2024 election, but serious analysts don\u2019t see convincing evidence that he is a narco-terrorist or that he is deliberately flooding the US with drugs,\u201d Tom says.<\/p>\n

The audacious military operation comes just weeks after the Nobel peace prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader Mar\u00eda Corina Machado<\/a>. But instead of backing Machado, or the popular opposition figure Edmundo Gonz\u00e1lez, Trump sidelined them, declaring that the US would temporarily take control of Venezuela while American companies moved in to run its oil infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe word democracy is hardly mentioned at all,\u201d Tom says. \u201cThe Trump administration has made it very clear that this is about drugs, it\u2019s about migration, and they\u2019ve said this openly, it is about their desire to further exploit and profit from Venezuelan oil. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves on earth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The United States of Venezuela<\/p>\n

In characteristically Trumpian fashion, the US president announced that the US would now \u201crun\u201d Venezuela, without explaining how, or on what legal basis, such an arrangement would work. When I spoke to Tom, he was travelling to the Colombian border with Venezuela. He said that while about 15,000 US troops are deployed across the wider region, none are now stationed inside Venezuela.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s mind-boggling,\u201d Tom said. \u201cTrump declares \u2018we are going to run Venezuela now\u2019, but it\u2019s completely unclear how he plans to do that, especially given his supposed aversion to putting boots on the ground. How do you govern a country of nearly 30 million people with vast territory, including a huge Amazon region?\u201d<\/p>\n

Venezuela, it\u2019s worth noting, is roughly twice the size of Iraq. When Trump was pushed at his press conference about past failures in US nation-building, he brushed them aside, saying: \u201cThat\u2019s where we had different presidents. With me, that\u2019s not true,\u201d he said. \u201cWith me, we\u2019ve had a perfect track record of winning.\u201d<\/p>\n

But analysts are less convinced. \u201cEven if you were prepared to put those 15,000 troops on the ground in Venezuela, most people don\u2019t think that would be sufficient to occupy and control such a complex territory,\u201d Tom said.<\/p>\n

The prospect of the United States seizing direct control of Venezuela appeared to recede on Sunday, but US officials said Washington was keeping 15,00 troops in the Caribbean and might make a fresh military intervention if Venezuela\u2019s interim president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, did not accommodate their demands.<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s military action and declarationshave drawn mixed reactions across Latin America. \u201cThere have been messages of support, Chile\u2019s incoming far-right president has backed the move,\u201d Tom said. \u201cBut more moderate leaders, including Brazil\u2019s President Lula and Chile\u2019s outgoing president Gabriel Boric, have condemned it. There has also been real concern among diplomats in the region about the US simply going into and taking its leader, irrespective of his democratic credentials.\u201d<\/p>\n

Globally, the response has followed a similar pattern. The operation has been condemned by Russia, China and Iran, and much of the global south, while Europe\u2019s reaction has been muted. UK prime minister Keir Starmer declined to criticise the action<\/a>, while stressing that Britain played no role in it.<\/p>\n

In the US, the action was welcomed by Republicans, but widely condemned by Democrats. The former US vice-president, Kamala Harris, described it as \u201cunlawful and unwise\u201d, actions that \u201cdo not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable\u201d.<\/p>\n

Succession<\/p>\n

The country\u2019s supreme court has declared the vice-president, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, to be the interim leader. And \u201cit seems from the press conference that Trump is prepared to do business with her even though she was one of Maduro\u2019s closest allies,\u201d Tom said.<\/p>\n

What remains unclear is in what capacity. Will Washington effectively govern Venezuela through Maduro\u2019s former deputy? Or will another senior figure, perhaps from the military, emerge, leading to a pro-US interim regime?<\/p>\n

Amid the confusion, Tom says one thing is clear. \u201cThere\u2019s no sign that the US is prepared to help Machado and Gonz\u00e1lez return from exile,\u201d he said. \u201cTrump was very dismissive of Machado in the press conference, which poured cold water on the Venezuelan opposition. They had hoped that once Maduro was gone they would be helped to take power.\u201d<\/p>\n

Analysis from the New York Times<\/a> suggests the US may be pursuing a form of \u201cguardianship\u201d, dictating Venezuela\u2019s political and economic direction through an interim government, backed by the threat of renewed military action. \u201cTrump said that was the first wave of attacks and that there might be a second wave of bigger attacks \u2018if we don\u2019t get what we want,\u2019\u201d Tom said.<\/p>\n

Whether that threat alone is enough remains uncertain. Rodr\u00edguez, in televised address, had initially refused to comply. But she struck a more conciliatory tone in her most recent public statement on Sunday, offering \u201cto collaborate\u201d with the Trump administration, in what could be a major shift in relations between the governments.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps he\u2019s prepared to call it a day with the images of Maduro in a blindfold and handcuffs projecting a narrative that he has affected some kind of political change,\u201d Tom added, \u201cbut in reality it may remain close to the status quo with just a new Chavista leader calling the shots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s press conference fell on the anniversary of the US capture of Panama\u2019s dictator Manuel Noriega, who was flown into American custody after being accused of drug trafficking. But it was clear in that press conference that Trump is not interested in just invoking history, he is set on making it. And his actions will deepen fears that his talk of using military force to seize the Panama canal, take control of Greenland, or even make Canada the 51st state, can no longer be laughed off.<\/p>\n

What else we\u2019ve been readingBrigitte Bardot in A Very Private Affair, 1962. Photograph: Everett Collection Inc\/Alamy<\/p>\n

Brigitte Bardot, who died over the Christmas period, may have wowed both on film and many a magazine cover, but Esther Addley explores the more complex legacy<\/a> of an icon who wrote of Muslims: \u201cone day they\u2019ll slaughter us, and we\u2019ll have deserved it\u201d. Toby Moses, head of newsletters<\/p>\n

Suzanne Wrack interviews<\/a> the Guardian\u2019s footballer of the year, Jess Carter, who last summer called out the racist social media abuse she was being bombarded with on her way to winning Euro 2025 with England. Martin Belam, newsletters team<\/p>\n

Alexis Petridis interviews<\/a> \u201cBritain\u2019s biggest rockstar\u201d \u2013 Yungblud \u2013 and finds Dominic Harrison unbothered by the lack of critical acclaim and on the verge of even greater stardom. Toby<\/p>\n

A deep dive for Atavist by Alexandra Marvar<\/a> into the life story of Lummie Jenkins, a longtime sheriff in Alabama\u2019s law enforcement, remembered as a god or a monster, depending on who you ask. Martin<\/p>\n

The news can be bleak, to say the least, so enjoy this gallery<\/a> of some the best shots from the World Darts Championship, won by Luke Littler at Ally Pally this weekend. Toby<\/p>\n

SportEnzo Fernandez celebrates the equaliser. Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd\/Neal Simpson\/Apl\/Sportsphoto<\/p>\n

Football | Liverpool<\/a> and Manchester City both succumbed to late, late equalisers against west London opposition \u2013 with Fulham and Chelsea respectively nabbing a point through injury time goals. Enzo Fernandez, pictured above, scored in the 94th minute to dent City\u2019s title ambitions. Manchester United drew 1-1<\/a> at Leeds as Matheus Cunha equalised shortly after Brenden Aaronson had put the hosts ahead in the second half.<\/p>\n

Darts | Luke Littler secured his second world title victory on Saturday night, with an audience of 2.5m<\/a> tuning into watch the teenager blow away Gian van Veen 7-1 in the final.<\/p>\n

NFL | Dee Alford\u2019s red-zone interception stopped a potential go-ahead drive by New Orleans, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints 19-17 on Sunday t<\/a>o give the NFC South title to the Carolina Panthers.<\/p>\n

The front pagesGuardian front page 5 January Photograph: Guardian<\/p>\n

\u201cTrump warns of \u2018big price to pay\u2019 if Caracas fails to toe line,\u201d is the splash on the Guardian. \u201cPM faces revolt by Labour\u2019s Maduro apologists,\u201d says the Mail. \u201cTrump sets sights on Greenland,\u201d is the lead story at the Telegraph, while the Metro quips of Maduro: \u201cWelcome to New York…and have a nice stay.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrump issues warning to Venezuela\u2019s new leader,\u201d says the Times, as the FT opts for: \u201cTrump piles fresh pressure on Venezuela.\u201d \u201cStarmer plots course for a softer Brexit – as leadership rival circle,\u201d writes the i paper, while the Express has \u201cFears Starmer is plotting a \u2018full-blown Brexit betrayal.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile the Sun runs with: \u201cAJ\u2019s pledge to families of \u2018brothers,\u2019\u201d and the Mirror: \u201cJesy\u2019s twins agony.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today in Focus People ride a motorbike past a mural of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, 04 January 2026. Photograph: Ronald Pena R\/EPA<\/p>\n

Trump ousts Venezuela\u2019s President<\/p>\n

The president of Venezuela, Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, was captured, flown to the US and is facing trial in New York. What does it mean for the country \u2013 and the world? Julian Borger, the Guardian\u2019s senior international correspondent, explains to Annie Kelly why it could be the beginning of the end for our rules-based international order<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cartoon of the day | Tom Gauld Book grief in a comic strip Illustration: The GuardianThe Upside<\/p>\n

A bit of good news to remind you that the world\u2019s not all bad<\/p>\n

A rabbit at Okunoshima. Photograph: Kazuma Obara\/The Guardian<\/p>\n

For many visitors, \u014ckunoshima\u2019s hundreds of semi-tame rabbits are a delight \u2013 but it\u2019s the people who care for them that stay with you<\/a>. As retiree Koji Yamamoto puts it, watching grey rabbits nibble pellets he\u2019s left out, \u201cThere isn\u2019t much natural vegetation, so I thought it would be a good idea to come regularly and feed them, especially during the winter when there aren\u2019t many tourists.\u201d Volunteers like him quietly keep the island\u2019s fragile ecosystem going.<\/p>\n

The island\u2019s dark past as a site for the production of chemical weapons \u2013 so secret it was not included in contemporaneous maps of Japan \u2013 has now turned into an Instagram-friendly present and a reminder of how humans and animals can forge gentle, unexpected partnerships.<\/p>\n

Sign up here<\/a> for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday<\/p>\n

Bored at work?<\/p>\n

And finally, the Guardian\u2019s puzzles are here to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Good morning. Over the weekend, the US attacked Venezuela with a series of airstrikes and captured the country\u2019s…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":221250,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[42,43,40,38,41,39],"class_list":{"0":"post-221249","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headlines","8":"tag-headlines","9":"tag-news","10":"tag-top-news","11":"tag-top-stories","12":"tag-topnews","13":"tag-topstories"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=221249"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221249\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/221250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=221249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=221249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=221249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}