# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/81 "2026-01-03T15:25:36Z")
Most likely, some contact with Venezuelan military guys that revealed where he was. If the latest is true, that the US Administration declared that no futher action will be done in Venezuela, I can foresee that this will be not like Panama. It will be more like meet the new boss, same as the new boss, with the difference that Russia and China will be less involved. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/82 "2026-01-03T15:34:04Z")
Trump is like the gangsters of old, he will not care about who is ruling as long as he gets a piece of the action. And I do think that if the new rulers in Venezuela helped with info, the US admin will help the new ~~Viceroy~~ president of Venezuela. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/83 "2026-01-03T15:35:50Z")
The Nobel and FIFA Peace Prize winners are working hand in hand to place a new US friendly regime I am sure. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/84 "2026-01-03T15:37:43Z")
Yep, the [NYT is reporting a CIA asset](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/01/03/world/trump-united-states-strikes-venezuela?unlocked_article_code=1.BlA.bj_6.KoIy-SR04vV_&smid=url-share) in the government had been monitoring Maduro’s movements recently and passing on the information. (free gift link) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/85 "2026-01-03T15:38:52Z")
Re Bush and Panama. Bush at least had a constitutional argument to make. A crappy one maybe but there was some pretense. > The Bush administration argued that the military intervention was constitutional because the Panamanian national assembly had declared a state of war with the United States. This argument is supported by the [Federal Convention](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Convention_(United_States) "Constitutional Convention (United States)"), where [James Madison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Madison "James Madison") moved to insert “declare” instead of “make” in “make war,” leaving to the executive the power to repel sudden attacks. According to observers, the invasion also violated the [War Powers Resolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution "War Powers Resolution")[[70]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panama#cite_note-70) – a federal law designed to limit presidential action without Congressional authorization – because the president failed to consult with Congress regarding the invasion prior to its execution.[[71]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panama#cite_note-71)[[67]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panama#cite_note-postgraduate.ias.unu.edu-67)[[72]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_invasion_of_Panama#cite_note-72) Trump has no even strained argument of constitutionality. But he does have a Congress that doesn’t care that their powers have been completely usurped and a SCOTUS that ignores the constitution as it suits Trump the vast majority of the time. I won’t cry for Maduro Venezuela (and understand most of Venezuela is unlikely to). Seriously. More bothered by the thumbing our nose at international law. I am most bothered though by the bringing Imperial Presidency to a new level. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/86 "2026-01-03T15:41:43Z")
The statements from everyone left in charge of Venezuela - vice president, defense and foreign affairs ministers - don’t seem to indicate that country is going to be friendly to the US after being bombed. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/87 "2026-01-03T15:57:21Z")
Reddit claims the US bombed the mausoleum of Hugo Chavez. That’s just petty (if true). > [Mausoleum of Hugo Chavez in Caracas targeted in US strike](https://i.redd.it/82upp2fpm3bg1.jpeg) > **[https://preview.redd.it/82upp2fpm3bg1.jpeg?width=631&auto=webp&s=86f929e...](https://preview.redd.it/82upp2fpm3bg1.jpeg?width=631&auto=webp&s=86f929ed3b60ef1b5cac22fb38b0dcc16a40c56e)** ETA: Re-posted since it seems I posted this in a defunct thread. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/88 "2026-01-03T15:58:32Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Mr. Trump, the US is, and always has been, better than the USSR—er, Russia. Apparently not any more. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/89 "2026-01-03T16:11:31Z")
Lots of good information — historical and current, about Venezuela and about comparable actions — in this (gift link - preview not working, but the link should) **THE EDITORIAL BOARD - NY Times - opinion** Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/opinion/venezuela-attack-trump-us.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.BlA.2-mP.LXeAVZ0qC-QD&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/03/opinion/venezuela-attack-trump-us.html?unlocked_article_code=1.BlA.2-mP.LXeAVZ0qC-QD&smid=url-share) ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/90 "2026-01-03T16:20:42Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > We have been here before [referencing 1989 Panama] We sure as hell have. Back when I was in my twenties, there was one round or another of something going on in Central or South America, and the news was saying that people there were afraid the USA was going to invade. I had had a fairly common sort of 1950’s / 1960’s history education, and my immediate reaction was ‘What are they going on about? The US doesn’t go around invading other American countries.’ Then I did a little research. Holy shit. The USA invades other countries in the Americas all the fucking time. I had hoped for a while that maybe we’d stopped doing that. I feel more and more like the guy in the meme realizing that hey, we’re the baddies. Maybe Maduro does need to be out of power. This ain’t the way to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/91 "2026-01-03T16:34:59Z")
Countdown until Mike Johnson says he’s unfamiliar with Venezuela… ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/92 "2026-01-03T16:38:22Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Holy shit. The USA invades other countries in the Americas all the fucking time. > > I had hoped for a while that maybe we’d stopped doing that. We should all bear in mind that Trump’s understanding of, well, basically everything that matters is solidly arrested in the early to mid 80s. The current Venezuelan operation is just a flashback to Reagan-era misadventures. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/93 "2026-01-03T16:46:19Z")
I’m watching Trump’s press conference. Repeating himself – from a script – and slurring so much that he’s probably spitting all over his copy of the script – not a great look. Biden’s probably out jogging. [And that’s setting aside the innumerable, sequential lies Trump is telling] ETA: Oh, good. We’re DEFINITELY, officially taking over the oil. Who knew?? ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/94 "2026-01-03T16:49:47Z")
How is he going to run the country?!? That requires an occupation. He’s going to occupy Venezuela? …Now he’s rambling about Washington DC. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/95 "2026-01-03T16:52:09Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > We should all bear in mind that Trump’s understanding of, well, basically everything that matters is solidly arrested in the early to mid 80s. Au contraire. The correct statement is that Trump’s understanding of basically everything **is non-existent**. I’m always amused when commentators talk about something Trump has done as if he had some kind of coherent policy. That’s like watching a drunken monkey steal your lunch and trying to analyze the nuances of its grand strategy. The monkey is (a) drunk, and (b) a thief who wanted your sandwich and took it. That’s the “strategy”, in Venezuela and with everything else the Orange Buffoon does. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/96 "2026-01-03T16:52:14Z")
“It’s both horrible and breathtaking that something like this was allowed to take place.” 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/97 "2026-01-03T16:54:53Z")
> [@orcenio](#): > > …Now he’s rambling about Washington DC. There was a whole rambling sidetrack once again boosting his national guard deployments. Apparently they’re in Memphis now to? I wasn’t aware of that. I thought this was supposed to be about Venezuela? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/98 "2026-01-03T17:06:51Z")
Rubio took a big sigh, like “uh, Sir, that’s enuf. Can we get back to Venezuela now?” ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/99 "2026-01-03T17:11:09Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > I’m watching Trump’s press conference. Repeating himself – from a script – and slurring so much that he’s probably spitting all over his copy of the script – not a great look. Listened on the radio. Boggles the mind that anyone would listen to that and be glad that individual is running the country. And the media giving him free rein to ramble off about his use of the National Guard domestically… I guess the message is clear - the US is powerful. Fear us! I’m so proud! /s ---
**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 3, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/100 "2026-01-03T17:16:46Z")
I apologize, me and mine (for a expansive definition of “mine”) tried like hell to stop this fiend getting power, we failed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296.md?page=6)