How Trump & Co sold the attack on Venezuela

In January 2026, The Listening Post reported on the alleged U.S. involvement in Venezuela. According to the report, the U.S. government, with the assistance of mainstream media, manufactured consent for military intervention, culminating in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was reportedly taken to a prison in New York City. The report claims the Trump administration shifted its narrative from combating a "narco-state" to seizing control of Venezuela's oil reserves. The report also briefly touches on protests in Iran and an interview with Jose Luis Granados Ceja about deciphering news from Venezuela.

Cilia Flores, Venezuela's former First Lady, was captured by US forces along with her husband, President Nicolás Maduro, and will face drug trafficking and weapons charges in a New York court. Flores, 69, is considered a powerful political figure in Venezuela, having previously led the National Assembly and advised Maduro. She met Maduro in the early 1990s while defending Hugo Chávez and other plotters of a failed coup. After Chávez became president in 1998, Flores ascended in politics, leading the National Assembly from 2006 for six years. Despite presenting a family-oriented public image, Flores is alleged to have been a key advisor to Maduro and has faced accusations of corruption and nepotism.

In January 2026, the United States, under President Donald Trump, abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, raising concerns about escalating tensions with Iran. Experts suggest this action, following threats of new strikes against Iran and a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could increase the likelihood of conflict. Analysts believe the abduction reinforces Iranian suspicions about US intentions and diminishes the possibility of diplomatic negotiations. Some fear it might prompt Iran to take actions, such as developing military deterrence, that could trigger military action from the US or Israel. The situation has led to assessments that the US, Israel, and Iran are on a path towards potential conflict.

Following a US attack on Caracas and the reported capture of President Maduro and his wife, Venezuela temporarily closed its border with Brazil on January 4, 2026. The border crossing between Pacaraima, Brazil, and Santa Elena de Uairen, Venezuela, was closed for approximately five hours, restricting Venezuelans from entering Brazil. While Brazilians were allowed to leave Venezuela, entry restrictions were imposed on Venezuelans. Brazil's government is monitoring the border, deploying military personnel to enhance security in the region. Roraima, a Brazilian state, hosts a significant population of Venezuelan immigrants, reflecting the broader trend of Venezuelan migration within Latin America.

In January 2026, the United States conducted a "large scale strike" against Venezuela, according to former US President Donald Trump. Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated this marked a "new dawn" for Venezuela. Maduro's government condemned the action as military aggression. Colombian President Gustavo Petro alerted the world to the attack and reiterated the need for peace and respect for international law. US media outlets like Fox News and CBS News also reported on the strikes within Venezuela.

In January 2026, Nicolás Maduro, the authoritarian leader of Venezuela, was captured in a U.S. military operation. This action culminated a period of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela. The Trump administration had increased pressure on Maduro, beginning in March 2020 with a Justice Department indictment on narco-terrorism charges. After a disputed election in July 2024, the Biden administration recognized opposition leader Edmundo González as Venezuela's legitimate leader in January 2025. In July, the Trump administration designated Cartel de los Soles, a Venezuela-based criminal group, as a terrorist organization and identified Maduro as its leader, further authorizing military force against Latin American drug cartels. These events led to the breakdown in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and the effort to remove Maduro from power.