Venezuela kidnap

In the early hours of 3 January 2026 the American military kidnapped Venezuelan President Maduro.

Trump believes in ‘might is right’ and exercises this belief. Thus he tramples under foot any vestige of international law or even well understood and respected principles of a bygone era. Trump has pushed the world into a period of instability and chaos. Trust and diplomacy are out the door.

After Gaza and Venezuela, which countries are likely to be his next targets? Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Denmark’s Greenland and Iran should carefully consider Trump’ s proclamations.

The kidnap of the president of a sovereign state is an extraordinary violation of international law and a risky gambit. “Let’s see what happens!”  The closest similar gambit (if such a precedent could be found) is the takeover of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979.

Following the kidnapping, Trump announced the US will run Venezuela and repeatedly referred to oil as if Venezuela is already his. He should be reminded of ex-president Bush’s 2003 proclamation of ‘mission accomplished’.

Nothing is settled. Despite its initial ‘success’ the US can be caught in a quagmire both in Venezuela and internationally.

Many questions remain to be answered, What is the future of Venezuela? Will there be American boots on the ground?

We are witnessing the reincarnation of the Monroe Doctrine. What comes next?

How will this act affect China?

The man who aspired to the noble peace prize is in fact the prince of war.