# The US is currently attacking Caracas (Venezuela), has captured Maduro **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 3, 2026, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296 "2026-01-03T06:49:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/281 "2026-01-07T12:31:28Z")
ISTM part of the point of “we run it” (\* ) BUT leaving the entire government and party apparatus in place is so that the people on the ground are not “working for the occupier” since there is no occupier. It’s still all the same politico-economic structure they were working for before Christmas only with a different set of external geopolitical alignments. ( \* As has been said before, it’s “we run it” is meant in the same sense a crime boss says “we run the East Side” - the city is still managing the East Side’s public services and the shop owners are handling their businesses, but just no important stuff goes down w/o the Family knowing and getting their piece.) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/282 "2026-01-07T22:01:00Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > ISTM part of the point of “we run it” (\* ) BUT leaving the entire government and party apparatus in place is so that the people on the ground are not “working for the occupier” since there is no occupier. Problem is, that doesn’t actually work since if there’s no occupation the local government will just ignore the posturing foreigners. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/283 "2026-01-07T23:27:58Z")
I think the idea is that if the local government ignore them they repeat the same strategy and so on until the locals get the idea. It seems to be working. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/284 "2026-01-08T02:51:38Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I think the idea is that if the local government ignore them they repeat the same strategy and so on until the locals get the idea. I mean, it didn’t work in Iraq, no reason to think it’ll work in Venezuela when we aren’t even occupying it. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/285 "2026-01-08T11:40:51Z")
The way many see it, the big Iraq mistake was eliminating the entire internal political/military establishment and thus letting all sorts of resistance factions loose in a target-rich environment. So they’re not doing THAT here, plan A is to have the local establishment continue to hold office and keep people in their place, only now “working for us”. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/286 "2026-01-08T12:21:07Z")
Like when a mob boss takes out another mob boss. Maybe not the best move politically, but a practical move that might just work to some extent to our advantage. I fail to see this benefiting the locals. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/287 "2026-01-08T12:33:27Z")
The middle-east mindset is far different than the South-American one. In the 70’s an 80’s the U.S. dominated the region without having to put one boot on the ground thanks to our wonderfully loyal militaries (not loyal to us certainly). It has always been thus since the Colombian regiment sent to stop Panama from seceding sold its country for those juicy U.S. dollars. Now, it’s by no means certain that the current Venezuelan leadership will sell their country in the usual manner, but it’s possible, even probable. And if they do not, Trump can abduct them too and try again. In the long run it will most likely fail, but, as Keynes said, in the long run we’ll be all dead. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/288 "2026-01-08T14:39:43Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > The way many see it, the big Iraq mistake was eliminating the entire internal political/military establishment and thus letting all sorts of resistance factions loose in a target-rich environment. So they’re not doing THAT here, plan A is to have the local establishment continue to hold office and keep people in their place, only now “working for us”. The US military has removed a Venezuelan Political leader. One who was not recognized as legal by the US or Venezuela. How does that give Trump standing to govern Venezuela? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/289 "2026-01-08T15:00:48Z")
Might makes Right? ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/290 "2026-01-08T15:07:35Z")
I believe that is not a legal position. There has not been a surrender to a military challenge. Nothing has changed. Why does Trump believe he has standing to govern Venezuela? ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/291 "2026-01-08T15:38:39Z")
Because he thinks he’s God Almighty, or at least the Godfather.. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/292 "2026-01-08T15:44:00Z")
He doesn’t need “standing”, only force. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/293 "2026-01-08T15:45:10Z")
We don’t know what he thinks. We just know what he says. We also know that he lies. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/294 "2026-01-08T15:47:20Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Why does Trump believe he has standing to govern Venezuela? Because no one has told him no. Abducting a national leader violates a state’s territorial integrity and independence, and can be considered an act of war, which is the final straw of diplomacy. But if the aggrieved state and/or its allies do nothing in response, then the aggressor is free to continue those violations. Ultimately, that turns into de facto governance. Diplomacy is ultimately schoolyard politics/bullying on a grand scale. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/295 "2026-01-08T16:00:26Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Why does Trump believe he has standing to govern Venezuela? The acting President paid him for his services: > **[How Delcy Rodríguez courted Donald Trump and rose to power in Venezuela](https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/delcy-rodrguez-courted-donald-trump-rose-power-venezuela-128961510)** > > Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's interim president, has risen to prominence through strategic moves and political savvy ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/296 "2026-01-08T16:08:05Z")
As it stands, it appears that the Venezuelan government is actively cooperating with the U.S. For all we know, the protests and declarations that they still recognize Maduro as the nation’s leader were just talk, and they really wanted Maduro out and facilitated his capture by looking the other way. From the Financial Times: [https://www.ft.com/content/f25409a4-d860-4ec2-aab9-e62c4c99671b](https://www.ft.com/content/f25409a4-d860-4ec2-aab9-e62c4c99671b) > Caracas is actively co-operating with Donald Trump’s administration on plans to export its oil to the US, with interim leader Delcy Rodríguez in close contact with secretary of state Marco Rubio, according to a person close to the Venezuelan government. Teams of experts from Venezuela and the US are collaborating on overcoming legal and bureaucratic hurdles to deliver on Trump’s demand to allow the export to the US of between 30mn and 50mn barrels of sanctioned oil to generate revenue for both the US and Venezuela. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/297 "2026-01-08T16:58:13Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > Financial Times quoted by **Dorjan** : > > Teams of experts from Venezuela and the US are collaborating on overcoming legal and bureaucratic hurdles to deliver on Trump’s demand to allow the export to the US of between 30mn and 50mn barrels of sanctioned oil to generate revenue for both the US and Venezuela. 30 to 50 million barrels of oil, yes? It is interesting to read Paul Krugman’s take on that: > **[The Looting of US Foreign Policy](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-looting-of-us-foreign-policy?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=277517&post_id=183841453&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=203721&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email)** > > Goodbye, national interest. Hello, ego gratification and profits for the ruling clique. In case there was any doubt his conclusion is that it costs more than it brings in, but the cost is paid by someone (the American tax payer) and the gains are reaped by someone else (guess who). So it is very much worth it for the someone elses. As usual. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/298 "2026-01-08T17:55:33Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > 30 to 50 million barrels of oil, yes? It is interesting to read Paul Krugman’s take on that: > [The Looting of US Foreign Policy - Paul Krugman](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-looting-of-us-foreign-policy?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=277517&post_id=183841453&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=203721&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email) Thank you for a great link. I read most of the neo-royalism poly sci article Krugman links, even though it is an academic-speak slog. I did like idea that King Charles is now relevant: > [@](#): > > Signaling the importance of inter-clique status, the Canadian prime minister took the rare move to invite King Charles to deliver a “speech from the throne in Canada,” . . . One weakness of the neo-royalist idea is that the cliques don’t marry into each other yet. If Vance had married Modi’s niece, instead of a generic Indian-American, the thesis would be stronger. Imagine if Barron Trump seriously dated a member of the Royal House of Denmark. Greenland would be saved. A hopeless thought, but one that illustrates the world we are in. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/299 "2026-01-08T18:15:39Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Might makes Right? > [@Crane](#): > > I believe that is not a legal position. _[Silent enim leges inter arma](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_arma_enim_silent_leges)_ ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/300 "2026-01-08T20:01:11Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > In the 70’s an 80’s the U.S. dominated the region without having to put one boot on the ground thanks to our wonderfully loyal militaries (not loyal to us certainly). No, we put plenty of boots on the ground; they just were intelligence agents and US trained thugs and dictators. We didn’t just command things be done and “lo, it was so”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296.md?page=16)