Overview
- President Trump confirmed a large-scale military operation on January 3 that he said successfully resulted in Maduro’s capture.
- Trump stated that Maduro will be prosecuted in New York on narcoterrorism and related charges.
- Trump said the United States will be in charge in Venezuela to manage a “just” transition with a humanitarian focus.
- Coverage highlights the coincidence with Manuel Noriega’s surrender on January 3, 1990, after the U.S. invasion of Panama.
- Both the Panama and Venezuela actions were framed by Washington as counter-narcotics operations, with reports recalling Panama’s 27,000-troop deployment, disputed casualties, and noting a broader pattern of interventions during Trump’s second term.