Breaking: Venezuela attacked by U.S. Update: Maduro and wife captured.

stevevw · Jan 3, 2026

Laodicean60 said:
One thing I can say is that Trump is above board in his actions, not like previous administrations using CIA for regime change.

Yeah its becoming apparent that Trump has this knack of relating or something to other leaders. The art of the sale. He is able to get leaders to see things differently. Different futures. Then is able to make it happen.

But like you say I think he also knows how to use the best people and get the intel and set all this up beforehand. In some ways I think there is a knock on effect in that the more he can get things done the more he can get things done. It seems to work and if people are in a difficult situation for years and a positive option is made. It changes everything.

Either that or he has some magical powers to convince people. A bit like his TV personality persona. Its good acting. Maybe a bit of both.

Valletta · Jan 3, 2026

Photo of Maduro on U.S.S. Iwo Jima

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)

Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.

truthsocial.com

Desk trauma · Jan 3, 2026

wing2000 said:
How is the U.S. going to "run" a country with no boots on the ground?

Dare I hope he’s making it up as he goes along and nothing will come of it like the plan to take over Gaza ?

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN · Jan 3, 2026

BCP1928 said:
Oh sure. Do you suppose that if Russia sent in a special forces team and kidnapped Trump that all the libs would thank Putin and accept whatever government he wanted to impose on us? It's pretty obvious that Trump and his base have a warped idea of what patriotism is that they are projecting on Venezuela.

Why would America want to have Putin law?

wing2000 · Jan 3, 2026

Desk trauma said:
Dare I hope he’s making it up as he goes along and nothing will come of it like the plan to take over Gaza ?

I'm waiting to see if Rubio speaks. Taking out Maduro was a long term goal of his. Now, Marco Rubio can "run" Venezuela....(good luck).

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN · Jan 3, 2026

wing2000 said:
In Trump's annoucement just now, he declared "We are going to run the country".....

More like Trump is stealing land. When Trump isn't taking care of American needs..

FAITH-IN-HIM · Jan 3, 2026

Richard T said:
I may not agree with Trump's methods, but I am glad Maduro is gone. Hopefully, Venezuela can take full advantage of this opportunity to elect a leader of their choice, not one of the U.S.' or some military leader's choice. May God bless them and protect them during this crisis.

As a Reagan-Bush conservative, I'm pleased Maduro is gone and that the US will aid Venezuela's return to democracy. Unlike Iraq, Venezuela can recover with support, which may also reduce drug trafficking and migration to the US.

Having stated these points, my concern lies with the actions of the Trump administration regarding the invasion of another country and the kidnapping of its president. In contrast, when President Bush initiated military action in Iraq, there was a two-year period of preparation during which the American public was informed, whether or not they agreed with the war. The Bush administration publicly justified its reasons for intervention, presented its case to the United Nations, and communicated with allied nations. Ultimately, they formed a coalition of 29 countries before commencing hostilities.

Trump administration proceeded without engaging in any such process, did not coordinate with allies, and unilaterally ordered the abduction of a foreign leader. I would be interested to learn whether the administration informed Congress prior to this operation.

Edited: Secretary Rubio has stated that Congress was not notified. Interesting!

d taylor · Jan 3, 2026

-

Trump will be the first president of two countries. Here comes another grand ballroom

wing2000 · Jan 3, 2026

FAITH-IN-HIM said:
Trump administration proceeded without engaging in any such process, did not coordinate with allies, and unilaterally ordered the abduction of a foreign leader. I would be interested to learn whether the administration informed Congress prior to this operation.

He did not notify Congress prior to the operation. It seems the Pentagon was the first to inform congressional leaders.

The Pentagon notified Capitol Hill on Saturday morning that it had been “authorized” by the president to launch a military operation inside Venezuela in response to “national security threats posed by the illegitimate Maduro regime.”

The brief statement, reviewed by The Washington Post, was the first notice sent to key lawmakers regarding the Trump administration’s raid against the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro — an operation that occurred without prior approval from lawmakers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/03/us-venezuela-strikes-trump-maduro/#link-CJLN3LC3DVBV3IZZGEZYF3JYRE

RocksInMyHead · Jan 3, 2026

"President of peace," amirite?

essentialsaltes · Jan 3, 2026

RocksInMyHead said:
"President of peace," amirite?

As someone on social media said, "It's like the FIFA Peace Prize doesn't mean anything anymore."

comana · Jan 3, 2026

RocksInMyHead said:
"President of peace," amirite?

Since he couldn’t buy the Nobel Peace prize it looks like he is going for infamy.

FAITH-IN-HIM · Jan 3, 2026

wing2000 said:
He did not notify Congress prior to the operation. It seems the Pentagon was the first to inform congressional leaders.

The Pentagon notified Capitol Hill on Saturday morning that it had been “authorized” by the president to launch a military operation inside Venezuela in response to “national security threats posed by the illegitimate Maduro regime.”

The brief statement, reviewed by The Washington Post, was the first notice sent to key lawmakers regarding the Trump administration’s raid against the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro — an operation that occurred without prior approval from lawmakers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/03/us-venezuela-strikes-trump-maduro/#link-CJLN3LC3DVBV3IZZGEZYF3JYRE

It's notable that Secretary Rubio explained at the press conference why Congress was not informed. He stated that such missions require extensive preparation, and the timing of the operation was decided at the last minute. However, when he was part of the Gang of 8 in Congress, the Obama administration did notify him prior to capturing Osama bin Laden.

CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN · Jan 3, 2026

Hentenza said:
No different than when the US invaded Panama to arrest Noriega back in 1989.

The United States invaded Panama in mid-December 1989 during the presidency of George H. W. Bush. The purpose of the invasion was to depose the de facto ruler of Panama, General Manuel Noriega, who was wanted by U.S. authorities for racketeering and drug trafficking. The operation, codenamed Operation Just Cause, concluded in late January 1990 with the surrender of Noriega

United States invasion of Panama - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I’m in agreement with deposing a dictator that destroyed a country to line up his pockets.

Yes, American has a a history of starting trouble. With other countries. While taking programs away from the poor.

Hentenza · Jan 3, 2026

essentialsaltes said:
No, it was the US telling the rest of the world that the new independent countries of the Americas belonged to themselves, and not to meddle with them. We were guaranteeing their independence, not declaring ownership.

But with the Governments who have declared their independence and maintained it, and whose independence we have, on great consideration and on just principles, acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny, by any European power in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States.

That’s quite naive. Study the results and actions of the Monroe doctrine. Also read about the Academy of the Americas and the training of dictators that upheld US interests in the region.

Nithavela · Jan 3, 2026

I notice that some of the people on this thread state the sentiment that at least the current US administration is transparent with it's desire to plunder. I would note that there is a difference between being honest and being shameless. The USA is currently firmly in the latter camp.

It doesn't take any courage to tell people to their face that you will screw them over when you know they can't fight back.

Hentenza · Jan 3, 2026

Nithavela said:
I notice that some of the people on this thread state the sentiment that at least the current US administration is transparent with it's desire to plunder. I would note that there is a difference between being honest and being shameless. The USA is currently firmly in the latter camp.

It doesn't take any courage to tell people to their face that you will screw them over when you know they can't fight back.

Tell that to the Venezuelans.

durangodawood · Jan 3, 2026

Hentenza said:
That’s quite naive. Study the results and actions of the Monroe doctrine. Also read about the Academy of the Americas and the training of dictators that upheld US interests in the region.

I remember the manifestation of that during the Reagan admin. In hindsight I think there's a tremendous amount of shame attached to the way the USA went about that...... or should be.

I think the point was the Monroe doc is a grand foreign policy position. I dont think it explicitly promotes extra-constitutional military actions - tho I could be wrong.

wing2000 · Jan 3, 2026

Hentenza said:
Tell that to the Venezuelans.

Speaking of naive. You invoke the Monroe Doctrine as though Venzeulans and the rest of Latin America welcome U.S. intervention in their countries. Clearly, you have no appreciation of U.S. and Latin American history.

GoldenBoy89 · Jan 3, 2026

Valletta said:
The democratically elected president, consulting with his advisors, makes the designations of terrorist organizations. Venezuela is a not just a key player in the drug trade, but in fact has an alliance with Iran, Russian, and China. Venezuela allows Hezbollah to operate from within their country. I don't think most people realize how close our country was to disaster, what with the flooding of America with over 10 to 20 million people, terrorists and cartel members included, that so enhanced the drug and human trafficking businesses. Then there was the imminent threat of a nuclear bomb from Iran. The United States is fighting back.

So why aren’t we going after Iran, Russia and China?

We hope the site problems here are now solved, however, if you still have any issues, please start a ticket in Contact Us

Breaking: Venezuela attacked by U.S. Update: Maduro and wife captured.

inquisitive

Well-Known Member

[redacted]

My dad died 1/12/2023. I'm still devastated.

E pluribus unum

My dad died 1/12/2023. I'm still devastated.

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

E pluribus unum

God is innocent; Noah built on a floodplain!

Fact-Based Lifeform

Senior Veteran

Well-Known Member

My dad died 1/12/2023. I'm still devastated.

I will fear no evil for You are with me

you're in charge you can do it just get louis

I will fear no evil for You are with me

re Member

E pluribus unum

We're Still Here

Similar threads