INTRODUCTION
On pre-dawn of 3 January 2026, the United States’ administration launched “Operation Absolute Resolve” on Caracas. In operation, President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained. This disturbed act just shattered the core definition of “Westphalian System” which defines sovereignty among nations.
My main argument is that the USA is stating that this is for fair law and act i.e. against “narco terrorism” but it is just the way back to “Big Stick Diplomacy” and to grab power & first hand control which leads to internal and international chaos.
CONTEXT & BACKGROUND
The bilateral relations of the United States and Venezuela are a mix of ups and downs. Historically, Venezuela and the United States are partners in oil exports. The thing changed after 1999, when Hugo Chavez became president of Venezuela and turned the mouth of the country towards socialism and anti imperialism. After his death in 2013, Nicolas Maduro became president. Since 2019, the U.S. has imposed heavy sanctions on oil imports of Venezuela. In 2025, America recognised opposition party leader Juan Guaido as President of Venezuela but Maduro stated this act as imperialist regime change. Maduro also has been blamed for hyper-inflation, and unfair election of 2025, to dismantle the blame , Maduro launched Operation Knock Knock to arrest the protestors and political party members.
The dis-agreements reached their zenith in late 2025, where the United States blamed Maduro for “state sponsored drug terrorism”. The United States also recognized Tren de Aragua as an international terrorist organization and stated that they work collectively with President Maduro. And recently launched an attack on Venezuela.
SIGNIFICANCE OF MAIN ARGUMENT
The word “ against narco terrorism” is just a mask for geopolitics control and America can lead Venezuela crude oil and remove Anti American from western hemisphere . By this, America also controls the expansion of Russia and China in the oil market.
The United States gains power, control and position in its rival area where its administration can clearly coax its international market related powers and establish its whole hegemony .
The Venezuelan people feel mixed emotions due to the earlier situation of their nation and also political and economical turmoil. They can also feel the emptiness of the power position of Venezuela
Currently, Venezuela is in a mixed and uncertain state about the ruling position of the country and declares state emergency. America claimed that he will run Venezuela but it can also be a loss for Venezuela if this is happening just for the sake of oil and crude resources and not the actual development of Venezuela which can lead to an internal muddle situation in the land of Venezuela.
ANALYSIS
- Strategic Angle
Currently, The United States does not believe in an equal and fair existence of political background. It just threw the head of a country just to ensure hegemony in Latin America. By detaining Maduro, the US will control the oil reserves of Venezuela which will be a bonus treat for him to become captain in the international oil market and secure its position as a superpower. The USA is justifying the Monroe Doctrine of the 19th century, which warns European Nations of interference in Western Hemisphere and Latin America for regional stability.
- Economic Angle
The air strike on Venezuela will lead to economic chaos on the internal and international stage. Earlier, President Trump imposed various forms of tariff system on many countries including organisations like BRICS, and then he stated that America will govern and run Venezuela oil farms which is a subtle example of a resource capturing mechanism. Venezuela holds a special type of crude oil which accounts for 19.4 % . Capture of oil & energy resources can also result in countries refraining from buying oil from America governed Venezuela which can again have implications of tariffs or it will directly influence Russia’s oil market and exports.
- Geopolitical/ Regional Angle
From the paradigm of international politics, this action of America will end up with a massive rift. While some countries and also civilians of Venezuela can cheer this act due to the free from trash situation of Venezuela under President Maduro while some neighbouring nations can face the severe implications of refugees which can raise difficulties in their own home. This action of America severely affect the position of China & Russia; who are nullifying the act of Trump and point it against international law and justice. Delcy Rodríguez has taken the place of Maduro, offered “to collaborate” with the Trump administration could be a seismic shift in current relations
IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA
As India, always open for dialogue modules; recently, MEA issued a notice regarding this issue. India has already moved back from Venezuelan crude imports and it has dropped by 80% in FY2025 due to tariff and sanctions which will create zero impact on economic shift. However, India should analyse the framework of foreign policy and action against international rules of the U.S ; whose ignorance can lead to strategic strain on India's future insights.
- ASSET RECOVERY
The funds of India ONGC Videsh which is approx $1 billion is stuck in San Cristobal Field, can manage to recover this if India is supporting the US administration in Venezuela but supporting the US Action can lead strains on relations with other BRICS Nations especially Russia.
- STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
President Trump has also indicated that there can be “punitive action” on India due to buying oil from Russia. Therefore India has to think about buying oil from US led Venezuela and this can be a major test for independent policy of India. The most strategic advantage for India is that America administered Venezuela can dilute the expansion of China in relevant fields which will help India in strategic realignment.
CONCLUSION
Recently, the UNSC held an emergency meeting regarding this issue where members split between two groups and by using veto, USA made a dead meeting of the UNSC. Recently , President Trump has tweeted regarding the sale of High Sanctioned oil of Venezuela and will be used for Venezuelan People and the United States. The bellicose behaviour of the United States in Venezuela can be a symbol for the return of Big Stick Diplomacy and can also lead some future development whereas India is in a labyrinthic situation between BRICS and its stuck dollars.