The USA attacked Venezuela just lately, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, in a pre-dawn raid that has despatched shockwaves throughout the globe. Some are expressing outrage over the transfer, however far too many U.S. elected officers and leaders of overseas nations have been silent.
This silence may be essentially the most harmful side of this entire sordid chapter.
Simply after 4:30 a.m. on January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump introduced “Operation Absolute Resolve” on social media. Since then, Maduro and his spouse have been indicted within the U.S. District Courtroom within the Southern District of New York. U.S. Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi confirmed the fees, citing “narco-terrorism” as a main justification.
The U.S. authorities claims this intervention is important to struggle drug trafficking, deal with migration, and safe entry to grease assets. Nevertheless, this marks essentially the most direct U.S. intervention within the area since 1989, when the army kidnapped Panamanian chief Manuel Noriega. Like Noriega, Maduro was as soon as a regional participant the U.S. handled; now, he sits in a New York courtroom pleading not responsible and declaring himself a “prisoner of struggle.”
Whereas Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as interim president, indicating she’s going to “cooperate” with the U.S., she pointedly described Maduro and his spouse as “hostages.”
Price of “Precision”
The administration has labeled the raid “good,” however the human price tells a unique story. The Intercept stories that 80 Venezuelan and Cuban residents had been killed by U.S. gunfire and airstrikes, together with an 80-year-old lady as she slept. In line with Al Jazeera, 55 troopers—32 Cuban and 23 Venezuelan—died within the assault.
Public opinion is fractured. A Reuters/Ipsos ballot discovered that solely 33% of Individuals approve of the motion, whereas 72% expressed concern that the U.S. will develop into too deeply concerned in Venezuela. Even amongst Republicans who accredited of the assault, 54% shared these issues.
Refrain of silence
Predictably, strategic adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran condemned the strike as a violation of sovereignty. Russia’s International Affairs Ministry said on X: “The US dedicated an act of armed aggression… The pretexts used to justify these actions are untenable.”
Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was extra blunt: “One should stand firmly towards the enemy and naked one’s chest in resistance. We won’t yield.”
However the place is the remainder of the world? The overwhelming majority of U.S. officers and Western leaders—the self-appointed guardians of democracy—have supplied nothing however “milquetoast, middle-of-the-road, diplomatic responses.”
An editorial by The Guardian (Jan 5, 2026) famous that the EU’s response was “not solely weak, it additionally had the briefest of shelf lives.” EU officers, resembling Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen, spoke of “intently monitoring” and “restraint,” however refused to sentence the breach of worldwide legislation. As Jordi Diez, a professor on the College of Guelph, famous: “They’re coping with a unstable White Home,” and worry of angering the U.S. administration has paralyzed the worldwide group.
Even the African Union’s name for “inclusive political dialogue” seems like fence-straddling. These diplomatic niceties imply nothing to a White Home working towards “world gangster strikes.”
The “Donroe Doctrine”
This isn’t nearly Venezuela. Trump has already hinted at a “Donroe Doctrine” (a refashioning of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine to justify occupying Latin American nations).
“Underneath our new nationwide safety technique, American dominance within the Western Hemisphere won’t ever be questioned once more,” Trump declared (I guess you possibly can hear his voice while you learn his phrases).
The hit checklist is rising. The administration has taken goal at Cuba and Colombia, hinted at intervention in Mexico, and renewed aspirations to annex Greenland. If the one repercussions Trump faces are “non-condemnations,” why would he cease? As Defender Managing Editor Reshonda Tate asks, “Who gon’ cease him, Boo?”
Zero Fs given
Some insist the “rule of legislation” will rein this in. Please. Trump tried to overturn U.S. democracy on Jan. 6, 2021—and was re-elected. His administration routinely sneers at constitutional limits. Actions taken in 2025 solely reinforce the assumption that he’s above the legislation. Silence allows that perception.
And let’s be clear: those that are cool with white nationalism going world are by no means silent. Some will even cosign assaults on their very own individuals in entrance of world audiences (howdy Nicki Minaj). Trump allies overseas cheered. Argentina’s President Javier Milei posted, “LA LIBERTAD AVANZA. VIVA LA LIBERTAD CARAJO.” Translation: “freedom strikes ahead. Lengthy stay freedom dammit.” Okay.
Weapons of Mass Distraction
This coup stands out as the final “Weapon of Mass Distraction,” the title of a e-book written by somebody near me. Whereas the media focuses on Caracas, the U.S. economic system is tanking. Over 100 U.S. firms have issued WARN (Employee Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notices, legally required notices that firms should situation 60 days prematurely if they’re about to interact in huge layoffs.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell just lately admitted the federal government has been overestimating job development. Whereas the White Home claims 40,000 new jobs a month, Powell suggests the actual quantity might be a lack of 20,000 jobs a month.
Then there’s the latest Epstein file revelation, which allegedly lists Trump as a witness to the homicide of an toddler he fathered with a minor—the very “post-birth abortion” he as soon as accused Democrats of supporting.
Your silence won’t defend you
Not everyone seems to be silent. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva known as the bombings an “unacceptable line” and a “grave affront to sovereignty.” U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie is likely one of the few Republicans who has stood towards the kidnapping.
However most leaders are hiding, hoping that staying quiet will hold them off the imperialist radar. They’re like those that advised Marcus Garvey, Ida B. Wells, MLK, Fannie Lou Hamer, and/or Malcolm X to “shut up” to keep away from making issues worse.
They need to hearken to the late Audre Lorde, who put it point-blank: “Your silence won’t defend you.”
It by no means has, and within the face of this world lawlessness, it by no means will.
