‘Remote coercion’: What has US approach been since abduction of Maduro?

Three weeks after a US military operation abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026, the US approach remains unclear. Maduro is imprisoned in New York awaiting trial on drug trafficking and narcoterrorism charges. Despite international condemnation, the US maintains a significant military presence off the Venezuelan coast and continues its blockade of sanctioned oil tankers. The Trump administration has promised further strikes on alleged drug smuggling boats and has not ruled out future land operations. While initially promising to "run" Venezuela, Trump is now coordinating with interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former deputy, focusing on oil and downplaying opposition involvement. Analysts warn of underlying tensions within Venezuela and the potential for instability depending on US actions.

In Barcelona, Venezuela, 25 boys and young men, aged 13 to 25, were arrested following a water balloon fight, a local Carnival tradition. The arrests occurred two days after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. State prosecutors charged them with treason. The detainees and their families allege that police and National Guard soldiers used excessive force during the arrests. The incident highlights the continued surveillance and repression under the U.S.-backed Venezuelan interim government, despite President Trump's praise for their cooperation, particularly regarding U.S. access to Venezuelan oil. The New York Times interviewed detainees and their families, who expressed fear of government reprisal.

Under pressure from the Trump administration following the capture of President Maduro in January 2026, Venezuela's interim government has agreed to accept an increased number of U.S. deportation flights. The U.S. had been pressing Venezuela to accept more deportees, and this week marked the first time since Trump took office that three flights arrived in Caracas in a single week. If this rate continues, the U.S. could deport nearly 30,000 Venezuelans this year, potentially doubling last year's figures and placing Venezuela among the top five countries receiving U.S. deportees. The Trump administration views this as a victory in its efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

This documentary examines Venezuela's decline from a stable, oil-rich democracy in the 1970s to a crisis culminating in a US special forces raid on Caracas on January 3, 2026. It explores the historical context, including the 1989 Caracazo riots, Hugo Chavez's rise and reforms, the 2002 coup attempt, and the economic collapse under President Nicolas Maduro. The film investigates how Venezuela, once a US ally, reached this point, highlighting the influence of US power in Latin America. Through firsthand accounts, expert analysis, and archival footage, the documentary analyzes the factors contributing to Venezuela's downfall and the implications of US intervention in the region. It was published on January 23, 2026.