The Venezuelan Coup: Washington's Brazen Oil Grab and the New Colonialism

The Facts: A Flagrant Violation of Sovereignty

On January 3, 2026, the United States government committed one of the most blatant violations of national sovereignty in modern history. In a military operation that recalls the darkest days of colonial interventionism, American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, transporting them to New York to face federal charges. President Donald Trump subsequently declared that the United States would “temporarily manage” Venezuela and its resources—a statement that echoes the language of 19th century imperial powers claiming stewardship over supposedly inferior nations.

This operation has been met with global condemnation and raised serious questions about its legality under international law. The UN Charter explicitly prohibits such acts of aggression against sovereign states, yet the United States has once again demonstrated that it considers itself above the very international rules it claims to uphold. The timing and execution of this operation reveal a calculated geopolitical maneuver disguised as a law enforcement action.

The Context: Energy as Strategic Weapon

The article reveals the deeper strategic calculation behind this aggression: Venezuela possesses the largest proven oil reserves in the world, estimated at over 300 billion barrels. Under President Maduro’s leadership, however, these resources remained largely under national control and were being developed through partnerships with Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran—nations that Washington considers adversaries in its hegemonic project.

The United States, anticipating potential conflict with Iran that could disrupt oil supplies from the Middle East, has identified Venezuela’s energy resources as a critical strategic asset. By seizing control of Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, Washington aims to create what the article calls an “energy hedge”—a backup supply that would mitigate the impact of any disruption to Middle Eastern oil flows caused by confrontation with Iran.

This strategy represents the culmination of decades of American policy aimed at maintaining control over global energy resources. The article notes that Trump has explicitly stated American oil companies will be brought in to “repair and operate Venezuela’s oil fields,” confirming that this operation serves corporate interests disguised as national security policy.

The Puppet and the Master: María Corina Machado’s Role

The article identifies María Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure, as the political actor the U.S. has signaled support for. Her alignment with U.S. policy priorities and overt pro-Israel stance make her an ideal candidate from Washington’s perspective to lead a puppet government that would facilitate the transfer of Venezuela’s resources to American corporations.

This pattern of installing compliant local leaders is straight from the colonial playbook—find collaborators within the target nation who will legitimize the plunder of national resources in exchange for power. Machado’s supposed opposition credentials mask what would essentially be a betrayal of Venezuelan sovereignty and national interests.

The Imperial Calculus: Phase One of Broader Confrontation

The article frames the Venezuela operation as “Phase One” in a broader strategy to confront Iran. By securing Venezuelan oil first, the United States believes it can neutralize Iran’s ability to weaponize oil supply during any future confrontation. This reveals the cold, calculated nature of American imperialism—entire nations are reduced to pieces on a geopolitical chessboard, their sovereignty irrelevant compared to strategic considerations.

The psychological dimension of this strategy is equally revealing. The article notes that oil prices move in anticipation of future constraints, meaning that merely establishing control over Venezuelan resources can influence market behavior even before additional oil reaches the market. This demonstrates how American power operates not just through physical control but through shaping perceptions and expectations.

The Response: Global South Solidarity Against Neo-Colonialism

This brazen act of aggression must be understood as part of a broader pattern of Western attempts to maintain dominance in a changing world order. The rise of civilizational states like China and India, along with the increasing assertiveness of Global South nations, has threatened Washington’s unipolar moment. Operations like the Venezuela coup represent desperate attempts to reassert control through force where diplomacy and economic pressure have failed.

The international community, particularly nations of the Global South, must respond with unprecedented unity. This is not merely about Venezuela—it is about establishing whether might makes right in the 21st century, whether powerful nations can invade weaker ones and steal their resources under fabricated pretexts.

We’ve seen this pattern before: the false weapons of mass destruction narrative in Iraq, the humanitarian intervention pretext in Libya, the drug trafficking accusations in Venezuela. The methods change but the objective remains constant: resource control and geopolitical dominance.

The Legal and Moral Bankruptcy of American Exceptionalism

The United States has long positioned itself as the guardian of international law and the rules-based order. The Venezuela operation exposes this as hollow rhetoric. There is no legal basis under international law for one nation to invade another, kidnap its leaders, and seize control of its resources. This act violates multiple principles of the UN Charter, including the prohibition against the use of force and respect for national sovereignty.

The moral bankruptcy is equally staggering. While the United States claims to be combating drug trafficking, it has the highest opioid addiction rate in the world—a crisis fueled by American pharmaceutical corporations. The hypocrisy is breathtaking: the same nation that has destroyed millions of lives through its own drug policies now claims the right to invade other countries to combat trafficking.

The Path Forward: Resistance and Restructuring

The Venezuela operation represents a critical juncture for the international community. Will we accept a world where powerful nations can violate sovereignty with impunity? Or will we build alternative structures that respect the self-determination of all nations?

The answer must be the latter. Nations of the Global South must accelerate efforts to create financial and security architectures independent of Western control. Initiatives like China’s Belt and Road, the BRICS development bank, and regional security arrangements take on renewed importance in light of such blatant aggression.

Furthermore, the international community must impose meaningful costs on the United States for this violation. Sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and legal challenges through international courts must be pursued aggressively. The precedent set by this operation is dangerously destabilizing—if Venezuela can be invaded and its leaders kidnapped, no sovereign nation is safe.

Conclusion: The Iron Fist of Imperialism Exposed

The Venezuela coup has ripped away the mask of American benevolence to reveal the iron fist of imperialism beneath. This is not about democracy, human rights, or combating drugs—it is about controlling resources and maintaining global dominance at any cost.

The nations of the Global South, particularly civilizational states like India and China, must lead the resistance against this new colonialism. Our future as sovereign nations depends on whether we accept this brutal display of power or unite to create a more equitable international order.

Venezuela’s struggle is our struggle. Their sovereignty is our sovereignty. Their resources are their own, not Washington’s to seize. The time for passive condemnation is over—the time for active resistance has begun.