On January 3, 2026, the US engaged in yet another bout of lawlessness against Venezuela by invading the country and kidnapping President Maduro in the dead of night. The kidnapping culminated months of saber-rattling by the US as it seeks to overthrow the Bolivarian Revolution and impose a Government more malleable to US wishes.
The kidnapping cost the lives of at least 80 people — 32 Cuban soldiers, 23 Venezuelan soldiers, and 25 Venezuelan civilians — and was the act of what can only be described as a cowardly nation. President Maduro has since been taken to New York City, where he faces what, in all likelihood, will be a kangaroo court on trumped-up charges.
Following the kidnapping, countries in the region such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Cuba have condemned the US for its actions, while others across the globe, including China, Russia, and Iran, have condemned the criminal actions taken by the rogue nation that is the US.
However, the condemnation of these actions ended with those countries, barring a few notable exceptions. The majority of comments from the nation’s leaders have been very wishy-washy and contemptible. Take CARICOM, for example, the regional body released a statement that had no condemnation, hardly even mentioning the kidnapping and calling for dialogue. That was bad, but not as bad as the EU nations and the UK, which came out and roundly congratulated the US on its actions. calling out the genocide in Palestine feared: Imperialist nations have been emboldened as a result of that slaughter and see no reason to even pretend and follow the UN and international law. We are living in the age of mig
This incident shows us what those who have been ht-is-right, and the countries in Europe that have failed to condemn this have sealed us all to a gloomy future.
What is to stop the US from acting this way with Colombia, Mexico, or Brazil? What is to stop the UK from going on a military jaunt in Ghana? What is to stop the Belgians from doing this in Congo, and what stops the Italians from re-entering Somalia and Libya?
The fact is, the Europeans and others know what was done was the height of wrong because, in the same breath of congratulation, they also warned the US not to get any ideas about Greenland, an island they have long coveted.
The fact that CARICOM has been derelict in condemning this action is shameful and shows how far the region has fallen since 2004, when it stood up to the US and condemned the coup in Haiti. Instead, what we now have are pliant leaders, fearful of upsetting a bully, one who abuses them regardless of their stated position. It is disgusting and will only lead to more shameful acts from our leaders as the US seeks to regain full control of the region.
This is a kidnapping for multiple reasons, the two primary ones being to gain access to Venezuelan oil, and to lop off the left-wing governments in the region, namely Cuba and Nicaragua. It is also to act as a brutal show of force that the US can do anything at any time.
The last part is a major exaggeration, for while the US can inflict great harm, the fact that the Government, military, paramilitary and party all survive, and no massive troops on the ground went in, shows that the US still fears long, drawn-out engagements. It shows that it can’t afford to get bogged down in occupation and should act as a beacon of hope to those who resist US actions.
If we create institutions which are strong enough and rooted in the people and communities, then no amount of aggression can stop us. These are dark times we live in when reactionary forces are on the rise and cowardice has taken the place of leadership, but it is up to us, the people, to ensure that we do not bow and accept dictates from abroad. We must hold firm, urge condemnation and stand with Venezuela, stand with them and the revolution because it is the right thing to do, and because we may very well be next on the chopping block.
