Venezuela as the First Domino: Trump’s Intervention and the Future of Latin America

Venezuela Crisis 2026: US Attack, Maduro Kidnapping, and Trump’s Plan to Control Oil Resources – Analysis

In the early hours of January 3, 2026, the world awoke to news that seemed ripped from the pages of a dystopian novel: the United States had launched a military operation against Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of around 100 civilians and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

This audacious move, spearheaded by the Trump administration, has sent shockwaves through Latin America and beyond, raising profound questions about imperialism, sovereignty, and the future of international relations. Drawing directly from an in-depth interview between Norwegian geopolitical analyst Glenn Diesen and Venezuelan journalist Diego Sequera, this analysis dissects the events, the motivations, and the potential fallout. Sequera, speaking from Caracas amid the rubble and resilience of his fellow citizens, provides a firsthand perspective that cuts through the fog of official narratives.

The interview, hosted on Diesen’s platform, paints a vivid picture of the attack’s execution and immediate aftermath. Sequera describes how U.S. forces targeted key sites, including the Fuerte Tiuna military complex near Caracas, the port of La Guaira, and even civilian infrastructure like a dialysis equipment warehouse and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research.

These strikes, far from the “clean” operation touted by U.S. officials, resulted in significant civilian casualties—approximately 100 dead and a similar number wounded, according to Venezuela’s Minister of the Interior. Homes in residential areas were destroyed, a communications antenna in El Volcán neighborhood caused shockwaves that leveled houses, and even a daycare in Iguerote was hit. This pattern of targeting suggests a broader intent beyond mere military precision, echoing historical U.S. interventions where “collateral damage” masks deeper strategic aims.

Sequera’s account humanizes the chaos: he recounts traveling from western Venezuela to Caracas, witnessing mobilized citizens holding meetings and demonstrations in defiance. Despite the bombardment, daily life persists with a stoic resilience that Sequera attributes to years of hardship under sanctions. “The firmness of Venezuelans… the ability to just go on regardless of any major disruption has become our trademark,” he notes.

This echoes Diesen’s comparison to past U.S. miscalculations in Iraq and Iran, where aggressors assumed they would be greeted as liberators only to face unified resistance. The assumption that bombing a nation and abducting its leader would spark internal revolt against Maduro reveals a profound solipsism in U.S. foreign policy—a belief that others view America as the beacon of freedom, even when actions scream imperialism.

At the heart of Trump’s strategy lies Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest in the world. Trump openly declared that the U.S. wants “its oil back,” positioning Venezuela as a “gas station” exclusive to American interests. In the interview, Diesen and Sequera unpack this brazen admission, contrasting it with Maduro’s pre-attack offers to negotiate oil deals on equal terms.

Sequera points out that companies like Chevron have continued operations in Venezuela despite sanctions, suggesting that access was never truly blocked—only the terms were unacceptable to the U.S., which demands exclusion of rivals like China, Russia, and Iran. Trump’s post-attack statements, including threats to interim President Edmundo González (referred to as Rodriguez in the transcript, likely a transliteration error) and Minister Diosdado Cabello, underscore this: comply or face worse than Maduro.

The legal theater surrounding Maduro’s abduction adds another layer of absurdity. Dragged to a New York courtroom, Maduro defiantly proclaimed himself a “prisoner of war” and the legitimate president, refusing to plead guilty or innocent. Sequera highlights how initial U.S. accusations of Maduro running a “narco-terrorist” cartel (the so-called Cartel of the Suns) have crumbled—even acknowledged by outlets like The Washington Post as fabricated. This shift exposes the operation as less about justice and more about resource plunder.

The charges now pivot to broader claims, but the farce is evident: how can a sovereign leader be tried in a foreign court without international consent? Diesen draws parallels to Roman victory parades, where conquered leaders were humiliated, but Maduro’s composed demeanor—greeting cameras with a casual “Good evening, happy new year”—has instead galvanized supporters, turning potential defeat into a symbol of resistance.

Broader regional implications loom large in the discussion. Sequera warns that Venezuela is “just the beginning,” a testing ground for Trump’s revived Monroe Doctrine. Trump has already mused about targeting Mexico, Cuba, Nicaragua, and even Colombia, framing them as threats or opportunities for U.S. dominance. This echoes the National Security Strategy influenced by figures like Elbridge Colby, emphasizing expulsion of “extra-hemispheric actors” (read: China and Russia) from the Americas.

Sequera notes the irony: while U.S. allies like Argentina under Javier Milei push for Maduro’s extradition on spurious charges, others like Chile’s Gabriel Boric issue condemnations, revealing fractures in Latin American unity. The interview critiques how progressive leaders contributed to this by isolating Venezuela earlier, such as Brazil’s 2024 boycott of its BRICS partnership bid.

Economically, the stakes are immense. Trump tweeted specifics: Venezuela would supply 30 to 50 million barrels of oil at market prices, with revenues managed by the U.S. Sequera questions the veracity, noting PDVSA’s statements on diversifying partnerships and maintaining Chevron-like models. This isn’t capitulation but pragmatic navigation in turbulent waters. As Sequera quips, invoking the Taliban: “You have the watches, but we have the time.” The U.S. lacks the intelligence and long-term vision to manage such complexity, especially amid domestic distractions like ISIS incidents in Minnesota and ballooning military budgets that contradict Trump’s “MAGA” rhetoric.

Human costs permeate Sequera’s narrative. He draws from his experience in Tehran post-Israeli strikes, noting the “homogenization” of destruction—collapsed homes, grieving families, young soldiers repelling attacks. In Caracas, a neighborhood unsympathetic to Maduro suffered heavily, yet protests swell beyond Chavismo, uniting against foreign aggression. Diesen analogizes: if China bombed Washington to “save” Americans from Trump, unity would follow. This human element underscores the interview’s core: imperialism breeds resistance, not submission.

Looking ahead, the interview posits a dilemma for Venezuela: total war is suicidal, full submission colonial. Negotiation channels likely exist, as Sequera speculates, but demands like severing ties with Russia and China are non-starters. Interim President González’s first meetings with Russian, Chinese, and Iranian delegations signal continuity. Stephen Miller’s role as potential “viceroy” amplifies risks, given his hardline stance.

This intervention sets dangerous precedents. Sequera rhetorically asks: What stops China from seizing Taiwan separatists? Or Russia from similar actions? The erosion of norms invites global backlash. Domestically, it corrodes the U.S., as Sequera quotes 19th-century figure Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (via Mark Twain’s adaptation): “A people that oppresses another cannot be free.” Echoes of Gaza’s societal unraveling warn of America’s fate.

In conclusion, Sequera’s interview with Diesen illuminates a pivotal moment. The U.S. attack, far from a decisive victory, exposes vulnerabilities: overreach, narrative failures, and resilient opposition. Venezuela’s story is a cautionary tale of empire’s hubris, where oil lust blinds to human realities. As events unfold, the world watches whether this sparks broader conflict or forces a rethink of hegemonic pursuits.

👉 Share your thoughts in the comments, and explore more insights on our Journal and Magazine. Please consider becoming a subscriber, thank you: https://borealtimes.org/subscriptions – Follow The Boreal Times on social media. Join the Oslo Meet by connecting experiences and uniting solutions: https://oslomeet.org

References:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXRJBsdSVU8 – Diego Sequera: Venezuela Is Just the Beginning (Glenn Diesen interview)
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjKO3WF-iaE – Venezuelan journalist Diego Sequera destroys Trump’s Monroe Doctrine (MintPress News)
3. https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/jeffrey-sachs-us-attacks-venezuela – Jeffrey Sachs: U.S. Attacks Venezuela & Kidnaps President Maduro (Glenn Diesen Substack)
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hypOkouT62s – Former Army Ranger Explains Trump’s Venezuela Disaster
5. https://glenndiesen.substack.com/p/john-mearsheimer-venezuela-greenland – John Mearsheimer: Venezuela, Greenland & the End of NATO (Glenn Diesen Substack)
6. https://www.academia.edu/45678901/Geoeconomics_and_the_Greater_Eurasia_Initiative_by_Glenn_Diesen – Academic study on geoeconomics by Glenn Diesen (relevant to broader context)