On Jan. 3, the Trump Administration deployed attacks on Venezuela along with the United States Military, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at his house.
The military operation, codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve”, targeted the Venezuelan President and his wife to indict them on several charges relating to narcoterrorism. Maduro pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Manhattan federal court on Jan. 5.
President Trump and his administration said that the attack was justified as a law enforcement action and that the President has constitutional authority. But others say differently, considering the damage the US did to Venezuela in this operation and the real incentive as to why President Trump approved these attacks.
The main reason President Trump approved these attacks was because of Venezuela’s oil reserve. Venezuela has the largest proven oil reserve of any country in the world, and it plans to expand that into the United States and “run” Venezuela.
The attack started around 2 a.m. when the US Armed Forces bombed buildings and infrastructure across northern Venezuela to suppress counterattacks. Venezuelan officials said at least 23 Venezuelan security officers were killed during the attack. On top of Venezuelan casualties, the Cuban government said that 32 members of the Cuban military and intelligence were killed. The United Nations and other countries said the raid violated the UN Charter and international law.
According to CBS News, Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, says that Venezuelans are actually relieved and finally have freedom following Maduro’s capture.
Some citizens are scared to express how they feel because of fear and the fact that their government is arresting people for celebrating his capture.
Because of this, Venezuelan citizens are hopeful for a future of economic recovery and stability in their country.
Written by seniors Sofia Martinez and Jacob Kalecki. Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.