Washington, January 3 – Following a sudden and intense attack in Venezuela on Saturday, US President Donald Trump has made his first statement. Trump claimed that Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been taken into custody by the United States.
President Trump wrote on Truth Social, “The United States has launched a major attack against Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been captured along with his wife and taken out of the country.”
Venezuela’s Defence Minister stated, “The Bolivarian country’s National Armed Forces inform the world that early this morning on January 3, Venezuela was targeted by the United States Government’s most criminal military attack.” Following the attack, a national emergency has been declared in Venezuela.
The entire incident is linked to drug trafficking. The US had repeatedly warned Venezuela of significant action. Operations have been conducted by the US in the Caribbean Sea. Recently, to increase pressure, the US imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s oil companies and related vessels.
The US has long accused Venezuela of sending large quantities of drugs into the United States. The Trump administration has directly accused President Maduro as well.
Furthermore, Trump has frozen all assets of President Maduro and his family in the US. The US has also faced accusations of interfering and influencing Venezuelan politics for a long time.
Another major reason for tensions between the two countries is oil. In 1976, the Venezuelan government nationalised the oil industry, bringing foreign oil operations under the state company Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).
This move by Venezuela increased difficulties for the US in extracting oil from Venezuela. This remains one of the longstanding causes of tension between the US and Venezuela.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.