Trump says U.S. operation captured Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro(cnbc.com)
cnbc.com
Trump says U.S. operation captured Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/03/trump-us-operation-captured-venezuela-president-nicolas-maduro.html
63 comments
And what, are we supposed to believe that the FIFA Peace Prize, trophy, and medal suddenly have no real meaning?
They never did have any meaning.
Going back a little it’s the signs. Local-to-the-pentagon pizza orders are up.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46474859
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46474859
How many times has it spiked in the last decade?
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So where do we go from here? Venezuela doesn't have the capacity to strike back. I assume this triggers a civil war for power. Maduro is a dead man flying to his future grave.
Presumably Venezuela has a continuity of government process, so the VP becomes head of the government? I don't see any indications that the regime has or would relinquish power, unless (more amenable) factions within it take advantage of this opportunity (perhaps this has been already coordinated).
Maybe the Venezuelan government remains intact, and now we have the embarrassing situation of a sovereign country asking for its head of state back.
Maybe the Venezuelan government remains intact, and now we have the embarrassing situation of a sovereign country asking for its head of state back.
> where do we go from here?
My honest guess? Cuba.
(If I were in charge from this minute on, I’d offer Maduro a pardon, asylum and a mountain of cash to (a) assist with a regime change and (b) tell us all of Cuba, Iran, Russia and China’s nasty business.)
My honest guess? Cuba.
(If I were in charge from this minute on, I’d offer Maduro a pardon, asylum and a mountain of cash to (a) assist with a regime change and (b) tell us all of Cuba, Iran, Russia and China’s nasty business.)
Lol, Cuba has zero (if not negative) value.
> Cuba has zero (if not negative) value
So did Iraq at the end of it. So does Ukraine for Russia.
So did Iraq at the end of it. So does Ukraine for Russia.
Cuba is better location for a Trump beachside hotel and casino than, say, Gaza.
No, the VP takes over, i.e. Delcy Rodríguez and this has already happened.
They might as well declare they are president of USA as well while they're at it. Maduro's regime was just publicly emasculated. They already had no legitimacy due to a fraudulent election and now they have no physical power either.
Without might makes right (US puppet) or some recognition of legitimacy, any leader is little more than a loudspeaker in a pretty house.
Without might makes right (US puppet) or some recognition of legitimacy, any leader is little more than a loudspeaker in a pretty house.
I don't agree and I don't think it would have mattered if it were true.
Delcy Rodríguez is president now. Presumably their military is treating her as the president.
Delcy Rodríguez is president now. Presumably their military is treating her as the president.
Trump claimed in the press conference that we will be controlling their government via her as a puppet and if they don't do what we say we'll put boots on the ground. And I am not even slightly embellishing. So sure she is the 'president' but only by proxy.
That seems fairly unlikely though.
Doesn't the president require a Congress approval for this sort of military action?
Doesn't matter because who's going to check them? SCOTUS? No. COTUS? No.
Unitary executive theory = plenary powers, e.g., they're a king in all but name surrounded by political loyalists with their hands on every lever of power that matters.
Unitary executive theory = plenary powers, e.g., they're a king in all but name surrounded by political loyalists with their hands on every lever of power that matters.
I think the president only needs permission from Congress to officially declare war (or rather only Congress can declare war), but the president is commander in chief of the US military and can do, for lack of a better term, “special military operations” without any approval (all joking aside, I think it means the president can always order military action just can’t declare war against another country, and I don’t believe the US has declared war on Venezuela).
Kidnapping president of another country? That's new right?
Capturing the head of state has happened many times historically. I think the USA is the only sovereign state to have done it in recent history though (and multiple times at that!).
Oh, yeah Panama 1989 H.W.Bush
Apparently modern old farts in power can only reanact things they've seen in their 'youth'.
Apparently modern old farts in power can only reanact things they've seen in their 'youth'.
[deleted]
why tho? What's the interest in one more pointless war/conflict?
Of course all the headlines say Trump did this and that but the person behind this is Secretary of State (foreign minister for the tourists.) Marco Rubio. He will be low key about this right now because of Trumps ego but it will all come out later.
Rubios reasons are:
1. He is a Cuban American and his base is the Cuban exile community. They have been wanting to overthrow the Communist regime since JFK. As Cuba is utterly dependent on Venezuelan oil, this might be what finally does it.
2. He is setting himself to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. Despite the isolationist tendencies of MAGA, there are still many Republican voters for whom kicking foreign commie ass is an impressive resume item.
3. Maduro is really horrible. All the “No Kings” types wringing their hands about Fascism should be happy that an actual authoritarian dictator has met his end.
But mostly the first two.
Rubios reasons are:
1. He is a Cuban American and his base is the Cuban exile community. They have been wanting to overthrow the Communist regime since JFK. As Cuba is utterly dependent on Venezuelan oil, this might be what finally does it.
2. He is setting himself to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2028. Despite the isolationist tendencies of MAGA, there are still many Republican voters for whom kicking foreign commie ass is an impressive resume item.
3. Maduro is really horrible. All the “No Kings” types wringing their hands about Fascism should be happy that an actual authoritarian dictator has met his end.
But mostly the first two.
The Nobel Committee should have just given him a peace prize for the sake of the world with some "conditions" like he actually honored peace. Since he didn't get one, he decided like a miffed child that he would for the "war prize" instead.
It seems like the neocons have successfully managed a takeover behind the scenes using Trump as their idiot puppet. Gottu get the War+Oil Industry stock prices moving - the C-suite billionaires needs their bonuses for their next luxury yacht.
It seems like the neocons have successfully managed a takeover behind the scenes using Trump as their idiot puppet. Gottu get the War+Oil Industry stock prices moving - the C-suite billionaires needs their bonuses for their next luxury yacht.
They could do a Trump on him and say they will award it posthumously but only if the conditions are met. And then renege on it when the matter is settled.
Boat nonsense aside, if Trump has actually pulled this off while mostly striking military targets, that's (a) impressive and (b) possibly–possibly!–worth celebrating.
The caveat is what happens next. If a stable government emerges, that's okay. If a stable government emerges that holds free and fair elections, that's brilliant. If, on the other hand, the power vacuum prompts a civil war and refugee crisis because nobody–again–planned for what happens after regime decapitation, well fuck.
(We really need to repeal the War Powers Act [1].)
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution
The caveat is what happens next. If a stable government emerges, that's okay. If a stable government emerges that holds free and fair elections, that's brilliant. If, on the other hand, the power vacuum prompts a civil war and refugee crisis because nobody–again–planned for what happens after regime decapitation, well fuck.
(We really need to repeal the War Powers Act [1].)
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution
I see it's still the season of perpetual hope wherever you are...
> it's still the season of perpetual hope wherever you are
At this moment in time, the President has bombed Caracas (presumably under the War Powers Act [1]) and claims to have captured Maduro.
From here, there are paths that wind up marginally good and many that end up somewhat catastrophically. Few wind up great. Few wind up as total shitshows (the risk in this being a Venezuelan civil war).
Seeing that there are positive possible outcomes isn't an expression of naive hope. It's identifying possible futures. I have no clue, personally, how to prevent a civil war in Venezuela–I'm neither hopeful nor on the edge of my seat.
And again, none of this justifies the actions. A gambler may win big betting his house. That doesn’t make it a good call, even if we can recognise that the outcome wound up favourably.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution#Provisio...
At this moment in time, the President has bombed Caracas (presumably under the War Powers Act [1]) and claims to have captured Maduro.
From here, there are paths that wind up marginally good and many that end up somewhat catastrophically. Few wind up great. Few wind up as total shitshows (the risk in this being a Venezuelan civil war).
Seeing that there are positive possible outcomes isn't an expression of naive hope. It's identifying possible futures. I have no clue, personally, how to prevent a civil war in Venezuela–I'm neither hopeful nor on the edge of my seat.
And again, none of this justifies the actions. A gambler may win big betting his house. That doesn’t make it a good call, even if we can recognise that the outcome wound up favourably.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution#Provisio...
Regardless of the outcome, this is an act and moment of great shame. There is nothing worth celebrating here.
Are you sure your government is attacking because of free elections?
> Are you sure your government is attacking because of free elections?
Never said that. I said this could wind up being net good if that's the outcome. Doesn't make the way we would have gotten there okay. And it doesn't mean that was a primary or even proximate goal for the people who called the shots.
Never said that. I said this could wind up being net good if that's the outcome. Doesn't make the way we would have gotten there okay. And it doesn't mean that was a primary or even proximate goal for the people who called the shots.
are you saying this as a local to the area or as an american living in america projecting your vision of "net good" lmao.
> as an american living in america projecting your vision of "net good"
American living in America who knows Venzeulans in America, most of whom didn't want this.
But. All of whom would want their country to democratise. Whether blowing up the capital and kidnapping their dictator causes that to happen is questionable. But Venezuela has cultural memory of democracy. (On the other hand, there seems to be zero effort–again!–towards an after-the-bombs plan. I'll also note that this administration isn't exactly a fan, itself, of free and fair elections.)
American living in America who knows Venzeulans in America, most of whom didn't want this.
But. All of whom would want their country to democratise. Whether blowing up the capital and kidnapping their dictator causes that to happen is questionable. But Venezuela has cultural memory of democracy. (On the other hand, there seems to be zero effort–again!–towards an after-the-bombs plan. I'll also note that this administration isn't exactly a fan, itself, of free and fair elections.)
but. leave others alone
> But.
Should have stopped there...
Should have stopped there...
lol bro u realize if ur a minority in your flavor of democracy u still lose right? thats why they need entire campaigns to brainwash you on what's good for you on ur voter leaflets.
It's incredibly common to hear it from locals but they usually get ignored [] because it doesn't fit the anglo-centric narrative.
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46474353
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46474353
[deleted]
I live in one of Venezuela's neighboring countries. Everybody knows he wants the oil. Everybody knows there's pretty much nothing we can do if he attacks in order to get it. America's military capabilities are so far beyond south america that it's actually pretty sad. There's nothing to do but try to look at the bright side.
Honestly, I was hoping for an actual war against the drug gangs. Had he gone to war and won, he would have taken care of a huge problem for us. I for one would have been extremely grateful. Now it looks like he's going to get his oil without any fighting whatsoever.
Honestly, I was hoping for an actual war against the drug gangs. Had he gone to war and won, he would have taken care of a huge problem for us. I for one would have been extremely grateful. Now it looks like he's going to get his oil without any fighting whatsoever.
FWIW - I don't 100% agree with you, but I did want to say thanks for at least posting your thoughts, and qualifying them.
(Adding my comment since there's a good amount of pushback, most of which I roughly agree with, but I think it's important to say thanks for maintaining a civil dialogue and discussion where we don't see 100% eye-to-eye. This also goes for all those who are replying to you as well. It's great to have civil discourse.)
(Adding my comment since there's a good amount of pushback, most of which I roughly agree with, but I think it's important to say thanks for maintaining a civil dialogue and discussion where we don't see 100% eye-to-eye. This also goes for all those who are replying to you as well. It's great to have civil discourse.)
Nichols at The Atlantic said it better: “So far, Trump seems to have executed a bad idea well” [1].
[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/01/maybe-russ...
[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/01/maybe-russ...
The global impact of this is that nuclear non-proliferation is basically about to die. Iran, Ukraine, Venezuela and the complete absence of any regime change attempts in North Korea is enough evidence.
Let’s be real, it’s been toast since the Iran-Israel versus Russia-Ukraine split screen. Bending over backward to help a nuclear power while doing the same to avoid irritating another.
Poland, Taiwan and Ukraine should try to get nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, so should Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and Iran.
Poland, Taiwan and Ukraine should try to get nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, so should Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and Iran.
>Poland, Taiwan and Ukraine should try to get nuclear weapons.
Poland is gonna get them in 2026 in a roundabout way because I fully expect Macron to actually extend the French nuclear umbrella to the EU as he has hinted he wants to do.
The other 2 countries won't happen ever. The moment you start a nuclear program you are a rogue state for the US and those 2 countries rely too much on the US, especially Taiwan.
>Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E and Iran Well Iran is working on theirs. The other 2 don't have state capacity to develop their own nuclear program so unless Putin sells them nukes I really don't know how they would do it.
Poland is gonna get them in 2026 in a roundabout way because I fully expect Macron to actually extend the French nuclear umbrella to the EU as he has hinted he wants to do.
The other 2 countries won't happen ever. The moment you start a nuclear program you are a rogue state for the US and those 2 countries rely too much on the US, especially Taiwan.
>Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E and Iran Well Iran is working on theirs. The other 2 don't have state capacity to develop their own nuclear program so unless Putin sells them nukes I really don't know how they would do it.
Trump is a criminal who just completely violated international law to steal another country's resources. Nothing impressive or worth celebrating about this kidnapping, period.
They can't have free and fair elections when the US is literally holding their president hostage. And dictatorships like Saudi Arabia are just fine apparently.
They can't have free and fair elections when the US is literally holding their president hostage. And dictatorships like Saudi Arabia are just fine apparently.
Maduro's last two elections werent even close to free and fair. To throw the phrase 'free and fair' into the same sentence as 'Maduro' is ridiculous.
I didn't say they were. What's ridiculous is to suggest that piracy, war crimes and kidnapping by the dictator-loving Trump regime will bring about free elections.
Why not? The Venezuelan opposition will more than likely be installed and these are the people who won the previous election.
No, the VP of Maduro was installed. His party still holds all power and Venezuela's democracy is still dead. But now they're also a puppet state allowing the US to extract their oil for profit.
This comment didn't age very well.
> mostly striking military targets
You are ok with Trump invading a neighbour country, kidnapping a person while accepting some civilian casualties?
I wonder what you would think if Canada would invade the USA and kidnapping Trump and other criminals.
This strike was not sanctioned by Venezuela. They are sovereign and they have the right to deal with their affairs in their own way. The USA -- as so often in history -- are playing judge, jury and executioner in foreign countries. They violated international law. The fact that you want to celebrate this says a lot about your attitude towards sovereignty , due process and human life.
You are ok with Trump invading a neighbour country, kidnapping a person while accepting some civilian casualties?
I wonder what you would think if Canada would invade the USA and kidnapping Trump and other criminals.
This strike was not sanctioned by Venezuela. They are sovereign and they have the right to deal with their affairs in their own way. The USA -- as so often in history -- are playing judge, jury and executioner in foreign countries. They violated international law. The fact that you want to celebrate this says a lot about your attitude towards sovereignty , due process and human life.
> You are ok with Trump invading a neighbour country, kidnapping a person while accepting some civilian casualties?
Nope. But I’m saying this could potentially turn out okay.
Probably not. We probably get a civil war or like Cuba moonshotting for nukes. But there are avenues from this point on where it could wind up okay. (I would not have expected we’d have nabbed Maduro so quickly twelve hours ago.)
> They violated international law
I mean, this is dead. China, Russia and America have explicitly called it dead. Iran, Israel, India and France, too. It’s basically Brussels and Brazil still respecting it, and neither is a military power.
Nope. But I’m saying this could potentially turn out okay.
Probably not. We probably get a civil war or like Cuba moonshotting for nukes. But there are avenues from this point on where it could wind up okay. (I would not have expected we’d have nabbed Maduro so quickly twelve hours ago.)
> They violated international law
I mean, this is dead. China, Russia and America have explicitly called it dead. Iran, Israel, India and France, too. It’s basically Brussels and Brazil still respecting it, and neither is a military power.
Yeah, that makes it such a weird notion to want to celebrate here. I mean, even if Venezuelans get really lucky and come out ahead, the global net result of actions like this is hardly going to be positive.