- Grenada (1983): President Reagan
- Panama (1989): President George H.W. Bush
- Iraq (2003): President George W. Bush
- Haiti (2004): President George W. Bush
- Venezuela (2026): Donald J. Trump
Notice a trend here? They are all Republicans. All notified Congress or were approved beforehand—except one. And he has until January 5 (48 hours from the start of the operation) to submit the formal War Powers report to Congress.
In case you haven't heard:
NPR NewsJanuary 3, 2026By Carrie KahnPresident Donald Trump claimed overnight that the United States carried out airstrikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, following a series of explosions and fires reported around Caracas in the early hours of the morning.In a post on Truth Social published early Saturday morning, Trump said the U.S. had "successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro," adding that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country. Trump said the operation was conducted "in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement" and announced a news conference for 11 a.m.EST at Mar-a-Lago.
I would like to point out that the War Powers Resolution doesn’t say anything about declaring war—it refers to the “use of U.S. armed forces.” So all of Trump’s muttering about “police actions” is irrelevant.
The Venezuelan government swiftly accused the United States of launching what it called a "grave military aggression" against the country. In a statement posted on Telegram, the government said U.S. forces targeted civilian and military locations in Caracas as well as in the nearby states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, calling the alleged attack a "flagrant violation" of the United Nations Charter.
Trump just gives them the middle finger salute!
Reactions around the world have been mixed!
Reuters wrote:
"Today we clench our fist in defense of what is ours. Let us unite, for in the unity of the people we will find the strength to resist and to triumph."While various Latin American governments oppose Maduro and say he stole the 2024 election, direct U.S. action revives painful memories of past interventions and is generally strongly opposed by governments and populations in the region.[...]The Venezuelan government, in a statement before Trump's announcement, said the goal of the attack was for the United States to take possession of the country's oil and minerals.
While France 24 writes that,
The Venezuelan government on Saturday demanded "immediate proof of life" of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores after the US announced he had been captured and taken out of the country. Maduro's whereabouts remain unknown after the US conducted a "large-scale strike" earlier in the day with multiple explosions and aircraft-like sounds reported across the capital Caracas. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.[...]Belgium coordinating with European partners to monitor situation in Venezuela, foreign minister saysBelgium is coordinating with European partners in order to closely monitor the situation in Venezuela, the country's foreign affairs minister said."Our embassy in Bogotá, which is responsible for Venezuela, and our services in Brussels are fully mobilized. The situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with our European partners," Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Prevot said in a post on X.
The Guardian...
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday that Rome and its diplomatic representation in Caracas were monitoring any developments of the situation in Venezuela with particular attention to the Italian community in the country.Tajani said in a post on X that Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni was being kept constantly informed and that the foreign ministry’s crisis unit was operational.[...]Germany’s foreign ministry on Saturday said it was watching the situation in Venezuela with great concern and a crisis team was to meet later for further discussion.A written communication obtained by Reuters said the ministry was in close contact with the embassy in Caracas and a crisis team would meet later on Saturday.[...]Sam Jones, who is the Madrid correspondent for the Guardian, has shared a longer statement from the Spanish foreign ministry:Spain calls for de-escalation and moderation, and for action to be conducted in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN charter.In this regard, Spain is prepared to offer its good offices to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution to the current crisis.Spain reiterates that it has not recognised the results of the 28 July 2024 elections and has always supported initiatives to achieve a democratic solution for Venezuela. It also reiterates that it has welcomed, and will continue to welcome, tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have had to leave their country for political reasons and that it is prepared to assist in the search for a democratic, negotiated, and peaceful solution for the country.
We just created a "Pearl Harbor" for them. We created their own 911 and we took the part of the terrorists.
Columbia according to Columbia Reports:
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro called for emergency meets of the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of American States (OAS) after the United States apparently carried out air strikes in Venezuela.
“The Government of Colombia rejects any unilateral military action that could worsen the situation” in Venezuela ‘or put the civilian population at risk,’ the president added.
Brazil (Lula da Silva): President Lula had offered to mediate just days ago to prevent a "fratricidal war." Today, his administration is reportedly horrified, calling the strike a "dangerous precedent for the world." He has explicitly questioned the "hidden interests" (oil and minerals) and noted that South America is once again being "haunted" by a foreign power.
Mexico (Claudia Sheinbaum): President Sheinbaum has consistently called on the UN to "assume its role to prevent bloodshed." Today, Mexico is reiterating its rejection of "foreign interference," even though Sheinbaum herself has been a critic of Maduro's 2024 election results. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Petro said “they have attacked Venezuela.”
But not only did Trump attack the place and captured President Nicolás Maduro but he also attach the Mausoleum of Hugo Chávez for spite and to embarrass them. It had no military significance; it is the most symbolic site in the country for the ruling party.
The justification that Trump is using... U.S. Department of Justices reported that,
Maduro and Other High Ranking Venezuelan Officials Allegedly Partnered With the FARC to Use Cocaine as a Weapon to “Flood” the United StateMarch 26, 2020Former President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro Moros, Venezuela’s vice president for the economy, Venezuela’s Minister of Defense, and Venezuela’s Chief Supreme Court Justice are among those charged in New York City; Washington, DC; and Miami, along with current and former Venezuelan government officials as well as two Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) leaders, announced U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman of the Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Acting Executive Associate Director Alysa D. Erichs of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Here in the U.S., reactions are as expected:
Republicans: Hip, hip, hooray!Democrats: An unwarranted attack.
The people? It’s too early—most of us are still sleeping.
