The United States has launched a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela. Saturday, Jan. 3, the US launched a series of strikes and “captured” the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife, and they were flown out of the country. After rising tensions between the two countries, this strike marks a dramatic escalation.
FVHS students also had thoughts about the incident. Sophomore Daksha Ravva, said, “I think that the situation between the U.S. and Venezuela is an example of how easily mistrust can start and why keeping clear boundaries is extremely important.”
Students feel empathetic towards the people of Venezuela and hope for the best to happen to the people.
This all started in 2020, when the Justice Department during the first Trump administration charged Maduro for allegedly running a narcoterrorism conspiracy and using cocaine as a weapon to “flood” the U.S. But Maduro denied leading the drug-cartels, saying that the U.S. was trying to depose him through an anti-drug campaign.
In September 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump accused the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro of heading up a drug cartel. A month later, the US claimed to have been in an “armed-conflict” with drug dealers and accused Maduro of having a part in it and said that it was killing Americans. Maduro has denied this. The US data shows that Venezuela is a country that transports drugs such as cocaine to countries in Europe and America. It also shows that the country has many criminal groups that help move the drugs.
The US launched a series of strikes against the boats in the region, killing 115 people, claiming that these boats had criminal groups who were carrying out the drugs, although there was no solid evidence to support that the people on the boat were “narcoterrorists.” The Trump administration’s strategy in the region, marks a return to an assertive and interventionist approach. In the last several weeks, the build up of military forces in the region suggests that the US is ready to take a coercive approach.
In October 2025, the US tried to arrest Maduro by trying to bribe his pilot. They wanted the pilot to fly Maduro out of the country and into the US. This plan, however, failed.
In December 2025, the US attacked mainland Venezuela and arrested Maduro, along with his wife, and flew them out of Caracas.
Maduro is currently being held in U.S. custody in New York, along with his wife. He and his wife plead not guilty to narcoterrorism and drug trafficking, in his first court appearance, which happened on Jan. 5.
Back in Venezuela, his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as interim president, and the U.S. plans to “run the country” until a transition. Maduro is still under U.S. custody in Brooklyn.
Here are some of the reactions to the conflict from leaders around the world. A joint statement from the countries Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Spain and Uruguay, shared their concern to the issue.
“We express our deep concern and rejection of the military actions carried out unilaterally in the territory of Venezuela, which contravene fundamental principles of international law. Such actions set an extremely dangerous precedent for regional peace and security and for the rules-based international order, in addition to endangering the civilian population,” according to the Reuters.
The Ukraine foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha said, “Ukraine has consistently defended the right of nations to live freely, free of dictatorship, oppression, and human rights violations. The Maduro regime has violated all such principles in every respect. We stand for further developments in accordance with the principles of international law, prioritising democracy, human rights, and the interests of Venezuelans.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said to the British broadcasters, “I can be really clear with you that there was no UK involvement in this operation. I then need to speak to President Trump, I need to speak to our allies, but I don’t shy away from this.”
Many world leaders had different reactions to the on-going conflict, some supporting, others disagreeing and some staying neutral. The people of Venezuela also had reactions.
Venezuelans have been confused and uncertain about their future. A reaction from a student in Caracas is welcoming to the events that are currently happening. He said to the BBC World Service, “The majority of the people in Venezuela are very happy for what happened.”
On Jan. 5, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had made their first court appearance in New York, and pleaded not guilty. Both appeared before federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein. Maduro told the judge, “I am innocent, I am not guilty, I’m a decent man,” according to CNN World. Both Maduro and his wife did not seek bail during the proceedings, but they can at a later date. Until their next hearing, which is scheduled for March 17, they will remain in federal custody.
