When the world woke up on January 5, 2026, it was not oil prices that shook the markets—but power itself. Power exercised without warning. Power enforced by airstrikes. And power that crossed borders with weapons instead of words.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, launched a direct military operation against Venezuela and detained President Nicolás Maduro. The move immediately ignited sharp responses from two of the world’s strongest counterweights: Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping.
In moments like this, history does not whisper—it speaks loudly. And those who listen carefully understand that this is not just about Venezuela. It is about the future of international order.
Russia and China called the operation arbitrary, dangerous, and a violation of international law. Their message was firm, cold, and measured—like a warning written between the lines.
For readers, investors, policymakers, and global businesses, understanding this moment is no longer optional. It is essential.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Response Signals a Red Line Has Been Crossed
Russia reacted swiftly after Washington confirmed the strike. Moscow did not use poetic language. It used the language of consequence.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the United States of committing armed aggression, stating that diplomacy had been abandoned in favor of brute force. According to Moscow, this was not an isolated military action, but a dangerous precedent that threatens global stability.
“Extremely concerning and worthy of condemnation,” the Russian Foreign Ministry stated, citing international media including The Moscow Times and NHK.
Russia emphasized that further escalation could produce regional and global consequences, a phrase that carries deep weight in diplomatic circles. Behind it lies a message: alliances may shift, responses may harden, and restraint may disappear.
Russia also reaffirmed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, insisting that every nation has the sovereign right to determine its future without external military interference.
This stance was not unexpected. In December, President Putin personally spoke with Nicolás Maduro, reaffirming Russia’s support for his government. Venezuela is not just a distant ally for Moscow—it is a strategic symbol against unilateral Western dominance.
For analysts and global decision-makers, this reaction highlights a critical reality: Russia is prepared to push back diplomatically—and possibly strategically—when red lines are crossed.
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Furthermore, China’s Firm Position Reinforces a United Front
China’s response echoed Russia’s tone, but added a distinct moral and legal framing.
Beijing called on the United States to immediately ensure the personal safety of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and demanded their unconditional release. The Chinese Foreign Ministry described the operation as an explicit violation of international law and a forced attempt at regime change.
“China urges the United States to stop efforts to overthrow the Venezuelan government,” the statement said, as reported by AFP.
China’s position matters deeply. It signals that this is not a bilateral disagreement—it is a systemic challenge to global governance norms. For Beijing, sovereignty is sacred, not because governments are perfect, but because instability benefits no one.
By aligning publicly with Russia, China strengthens a geopolitical axis that increasingly counters US unilateral actions. This unity sends a clear signal to the world: the era of uncontested intervention is fading.
For international companies, NGOs, and institutions, these developments reshape risk landscapes—from supply chains to sanctions exposure.
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Consequently, The Operation That Changed Venezuela Overnight
The details of the operation read like a modern war script.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Nicolás Maduro was detained by the US military’s elite Delta Force, following intelligence assistance from CIA-linked sources within the Venezuelan government.
More than 150 aircraft were reportedly used to transport evacuation and assault teams into Caracas. US President Donald Trump later stated that no American troops were killed, with only “minor” injuries reported.
Maduro and his wife were transferred to the USS Iwo Jima, then flown to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York, and finally moved to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
US officials indicated that airstrikes around Caracas served as a diversion for the extraction operation. However, Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino claimed that most of Maduro’s security team, along with soldiers and innocent civilians, were killed—though no official numbers were released.
Shortly afterward, Venezuela’s Supreme Court swore in Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.
Oil prices barely moved. But geopolitics did.
Ultimately, Why This Moment Matters More Than Headlines
This is not just another international incident. It is a turning point.
The detention of a sitting president by foreign military forces, the alignment of Russia and China in opposition, and the normalization of force over diplomacy—these are signals of a changing world order.
Like a Tere Liye story, this moment reminds us that power without wisdom leaves scars. And scars, once formed, do not fade easily.
For readers who want to stay ahead—whether you are a policy analyst, investor, journalist, academic, or global entrepreneur—this is the time to act intelligently.
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