Trump Warns of Second US Strike in Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on January 5, 2026, threatening a second military strike in Venezuela if the situation there does not stabilize following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, “We were prepared to do a second strike,” and added, “If they don't behave, we’ll do a second strike.” The remarks come just days after U.S. special forces conducted a nighttime raid in Caracas, capturing Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently flown to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy. The warning reflects ongoing U.S. concerns over potential unrest, resistance from loyalist militias, and the security of oil infrastructure in the wake of the operation.

Trump also hinted at the possibility of similar military action against Colombia, taking a sharp dig at President Gustavo Petro. He described Colombia as “very sick, too, run by a sick man, who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” adding ominously, “and he's not going to be doing it very long.” When asked directly about pursuing a military operation in Colombia, Trump responded, “It sounds good to me.” The comments have raised fresh alarms in Latin America about the scope of U.S. interventionism under the current administration, with critics accusing Washington of escalating regional tensions through unilateral threats.

On the political future of Venezuela, Trump emphasized that the priority is “fixing” the country rather than immediately holding elections. His stance aligns with recent statements from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who described new Venezuelan elections as “premature” at this stage. Rubio had earlier clarified that the United States is not seeking full regime change or day-to-day governance of Caracas. Instead, he said the U.S. role would focus on enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” and using it as leverage to push for meaningful reforms. Trump’s earlier assertions about the U.S. “running” Venezuela until a transition were notably dialed back in Rubio’s more measured remarks.

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The developments have sparked intense debate over the long-term implications for Venezuela’s stability and the broader geopolitical landscape in Latin America. While the U.S. frames its actions as a necessary response to narco-trafficking and corruption, allies of Maduro—including Russia, China, Cuba, and Iran—have condemned the operation as a violation of sovereignty. The threat of a second strike and the pointed reference to Colombia have heightened fears of further military escalation in the region. International observers continue to call for de-escalation and dialogue to avoid a wider crisis.

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