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US President Donald Trump released this photo of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as he was being transported from Caracas to the US following a US attack on the South American nation on Jan. 3, 2026. (from Truth Social/Yonhap)

The US on Saturday attacked Venezuela in an operation to arrest President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and bring them to the US. 

The US cited an alleged conspiracy to “narco-terrorism” to justify its arrest of the Venezuelan leader, but this operation needs to be denounced for what it really is: illegal aggression and a clear violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and territory. 

Washington’s aggression is a repetition of the dark history of US military intervention in South America that has occurred since the mid-19th century, and could spark chaos in the region.

The US mobilized over 150 combat aircraft to neutralize Venezuela’s air defenses. A special operations forces unit then went in and abducted Maduro and his wife. During this process, it is said that at least 80 Venezuelan soldiers and civilians were killed.

US President Donald Trump argued that the operation was a justified act of self-defense against a country that has acted as a key base of operations in the smuggling of drugs into the US. 

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said at a press conference about the operation. He also indicated that his administration will consider putting troops on the ground during the transition. 

Washington’s aggression violates the UN Charter, which forbids any use of force against another country and states that a country's sovereignty must be respected. Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the UN Charter stipulates that countries must refrain from using military force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, except in cases of self-defense or authorization from the UN Security Council. The Trump administration’s attack on Venezuela clearly fails to meet these standards.  

António Guterres, UN secretary-general, has expressed concerns about a potential violation of international law. The US is citing its right to self-defense against large-scale drug smuggling operations, but this is a misleading presentation of the facts. 

Many experts argue that fentanyl, the most problematic drug currently plaguing the US, is neither produced in nor transported through Venezuela. While Venezuela is a well-known hub for cocaine smuggling, this cocaine usually heads for Europe. 

This act of aggression is likely an attempt to make a play for the rights to Venezuela’s rich oil reserves, which are the largest in the world. 

It is simultaneously part of the strategy laid out in last month’s National Security Strategy document to expand US influence in the Western Hemisphere and expel Chinese influence from the region. 

Trump's military adventurism not only weakens the international community's ability to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but it could negatively influence the Chinese leadership's strategic determinations regarding Taiwan and the South China Sea. 

What does the US plan on saying if these superpowers go out and arrest the leaders of neighboring countries? This could set an ominous precedent that could incite similar invasions in other regions.

The international community, including South Korea, needs to clearly denounce the US and put its foot down on such use of military aggression. 

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]