Trump killed 80 during the mosquito catching operation.

On January 3, 2026, the American military launched a large-scale air and ground operation targeting Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. This operation marked a new and decisive turn in the long-standing diplomatic crisis between the United States and Venezuela.

The main outcome of this operation was the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by the American military. They were immediately taken to the United States and are currently facing trial in a New York court on charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. Following this incident, American President Donald Trump issued a strong statement, declaring that the United States would oversee the governance of Venezuela until a formal transfer of power occurred. He also emphasized that if the country's authorities did not comply with American orders, he would not hesitate to take further military action.

Various sources report a high number of casualties resulting from this sudden military operation. Accordingly, it is believed that approximately 80 people lost their lives. Among the deceased were Venezuelan military personnel, civilians, and security forces members, as well as 32 Cuban officials who supported President Maduro's security. Although no American military personnel were killed in these attacks, some soldiers were reported to have been injured. It is also believed that the death toll could rise further as the full impact of the attacks is assessed.

The Trump administration justifies this military intervention by stating that it was an essential step to curb drug trafficking and ensure American national security. However, it is no secret that another primary objective of this operation was to secure control and access to Venezuela's oil resources. Commenting on this, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that oil sanctions would continue to be maintained to bring the Venezuelan leadership into compliance. Critics have condemned this action as "neo-colonialism" and an act aimed at resource exploitation.

This aggressive action has drawn strong criticism and controversy from the international community. International observers point out that this is a serious violation of international law and the sovereignty of states. Particularly, Venezuela's allies such as Russia and Iran have condemned it as an illegal act. Furthermore, they warn that this intervention poses a risk of similar arbitrary pressures being exerted on other countries in the future. Venezuela is preparing to bring this incident before the United Nations Security Council, and this process has raised a significant risk of regional instability, long-term civil conflicts, and humanitarian crises.