In a dramatic escalation that has reshaped global geopolitics overnight, United States forces have conducted a large-scale strike on Caracas, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. While the White House frames this as a “new dawn” for democracy, veteran diplomats and international analysts are pointing toward a more calculated motive: the control of the world’s largest oil reserves.
Table of Contents
- 1. Why Attacked? The Strategic Motivation
- 2. The Return of the Monroe Doctrine
- 3. Venezuela vs. The World: Oil Reserve Comparison
- 4. A World on Edge: Global Reactions
Why Attacked? The Strategic Motivation
The Trump administration has justified the military intervention as a law enforcement operation. President Trump announced that Maduro was “captured and flown out of the country” to face charges of narco-terrorism and cocaine importation in the Southern District of New York. However, critics argue the timing and scale of the attack suggest objectives far beyond criminal justice.
According to former MoS MEA MJ Akbar, the conflict is fundamentally about minerals and oil. He argues that the “America First” agenda seeks to secure global dominance over energy resources, mirroring strategies seen in Ukraine and parts of Africa. For the U.S., a friendly regime in Caracas means direct access to 300 billion barrels of proven oil reserves.
“The conflict there, in my view, is not about democracy or about progress… It’s about minerals and oil. People do not realise that Venezuela has the largest reserves of oil in the world.” — MJ Akbar
The Return of the Monroe Doctrine
In late 2025, the U.S. introduced the “Trump Corollary,” a modern extension of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. This policy asserts that the Western Hemisphere is an exclusive American sphere of influence. This “hegemonic principle” warns extra-regional powers—specifically Russia and China—to withdraw their influence from Latin American affairs.
Analysts suggest that the U.S. is no longer willing to tolerate the presence of adversarial governments in its “backyard,” especially those that provide a foothold for Russian military assets or Chinese economic expansion.
Venezuela vs. The World: Oil Reserve Comparison
The scale of Venezuela’s wealth is often underestimated. To understand the strategic value of this intervention, one must look at the numbers:
| Country | Proven Oil Reserves (Billion Barrels) | Global Standing |
|---|---|---|
| Venezuela | 303.8 | #1 In World |
| Saudi Arabia | 267.2 | #2 In World |
| Iran | 208.6 | #3 In World |
| United States | 74.4 | #10 In World |
A World on Edge: Global Reactions
The international community is sharply divided over the legitimacy of the strike:
- Russia & China: Have condemned the attack as “state terrorism” and warned they will not accept American hegemony over Venezuela.
- Brazil & Colombia: Presidents Lula and Petro have called the move an unacceptable violation of international law, with Colombia deploying troops to the border.
- United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has distanced the UK from the strikes, calling for the upholding of international law.
- The Opposition: Leaders like María Corina Machado see this as an opportunity for an uprising against what they call Maduro’s dictatorial rule.
As we move further into 2026, the question remains: will this lead to a stable transition or a “major conflict zone” involving nuclear-armed superpowers?
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