The recent USA- VENEZUELA conflict has started an international alarm all over, starting from its history and how it led to current conflict and what it has implications on a geopolitical level. With the capture of Venezuela president Nicolás Maduro with his wife Cilia Flores, it has changed the dynamic on the international level.
Basically the relation between Washington and Caracas has always been of ups and downs but with the coming of President Donald Trump in 2025 , it started a series of acts which finally lead to the Jan 3 event. From questioning the fair election in Venezuela and return of Maduro for the third term, deployment of migrants, expanding U.S sanctions for about 25% to the countries buying Venezuela oil and finally labelling him as global terrorist leader of cartel de los soles and then heavy deployment of military in the Caribbean sea. All this with the U.S.A military buildup off the south American country’s shores.
HISTORY
However the relation between both the countries were never that hostile even during the 1920s the Venezuelan biggest oil exporter used to be the U.S.A , even the U.S.A has invested a lot in its oil during the early 20th century. But things changed with the rise of socialism , and the coming of President Chavez, who Nationalised all the oil companies in the country and U.S backed companies were expelled. This changed the forever relation between both the countries as Chavez aligned with Russia, China and Iran.
But with time Venezuela became the target of corruption and mismanagement of the economy, which later on led to inflation and mass migration. By this time the U.S.A also started sanctioning Venezuela which undermined its growth.
Nicolas Maduro came to power after the death of Chavez in 2013 but with major sanctions by the U.S.A over visa restrictions and the sanction on Venezuelan officials because of violation of human rights and unfair election. However the turning point was the 2017-19 when the country was dealing with hyperinflation as the U.S.A blocked the access of financial markets to Venezuela and ever increasing oil sanctions. Maduro came to power for the third time in 2024 after the disputed election of 2018, several allegations were being made including UN remarks and U.S.A and its allies.
COMING TO CURRENT EVENTS
Under the operation name “absolute resolve” U.S.A military on 3rd January 2026 captured the Venezuelan president and his wife in the American warship USS Iwo Jima which has been patrolling over the Caribbean sea. The reason led out by America for this act stated in this official statement that its a campaign against illegal drugs and not just this but Trump also suggested it’s for the regime change as per American data the current government of Venezuela is working have created security threats or them in regards of the hosting adversaries, offensive weapons and illegal smuggling of drugs. Trying to justify an act which is unlawful and absolutely wrong on the international platform questions the rule based order and sovereignty of a nation.
By various reports and expert opinion let that it’s not all about the illegal drugs and smuggling charges for which it happened but the desire in order to control the Venezuela oil market and capture it for American oil companies while America is saying that they will fix they will fix the oil infrastructure which is badly broken and also improve its petroleum refining and other related things to it, but if seen it has bigger interest of American capitalism then the Venezuela economy as such.
IMPLICATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
While on the immediate side it will not have any big impact in sudden supply of Venezuelan oil because of factors like Maduro backed official who are protesting and U.S.A blocked and sanctions but in the longer picture it has about 300 billion barrels of proven oil reserves, well-suited for U.S. refineries provided that political stability comes along with lifting sanctions.
Venezuela does not just have the largest reservoir of oil but it also has a good amount of gold mines and rare earth minerals. So, it does really point out that illegal drug smuggling is the only reason for America’s action or there is another side to it which time and again is visible in President Trump’s official statements like “ drill baby drill” policy.
And not just that this kind of action questions the working of international law and its significance because in a multipolar world where every nation has a right to defend and remain sovereign in regards with no interference from a foreign country comes into conflict. This sets a precedent for law breaking and gives an opportunity to other countries if U.S.A action is not condemned. For example China can use it as an excuse to invade Taiwan and Russia ongoing war with Ukraine can also be justified. It also breaks the UN charter known as article 2(4) – rules that states must refrain from using military force against other countries and must respect their sovereignty.
With Trump announcing annexation of Greenland as well it somehow makes us rethink the global order again because what was established after the second world war are almost not going in that order whether it’s a nation or organization. Such actions and remarks by a president is going to disturb the order and where small nations will be at mercy of big nations and will be left with nothing as of sovereignty and freedom.
WILL INDIA CAN GET THE BENEFIT IN ITS OIL IMPORTS FROM VENEZULEA
Venezuela is not an oil importer for India and given with nature of oil of Venezuela it is sour oil and highly crude hence it needs special refiners to make it suitable for usage and currently India does not have that, hence immediate result will have no effect but in future with advancement India can expand its oil importers by including Venezuela too.
CONCLUSION
Well it’s an ongoing issue and we have to see how it gets evolved because whatever happens later on will become a new way of dealing, where might is right. Hence, all the nations and international organizations should come together and deal with this current situation. Such an act is an act of aggression which should not be accepted especially when there is no such law to do it and justify it. Saying that America has an imminent threat to it and danger to its security does not make its action lawful specially when there is no such evidence to support it.
