The USA has deposed President Maduro of Venezuela as The Economist reported:

[https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/01/03/the-united-states-has-captured-venezuelas-dictator-nicolas-maduro]

ON JANUARY 3RD [2026], hours after explosions were heard in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, Donald Trump made a bombshell announcement. The United States had captured Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s dictator, and flown him and his wife out of the country. A military operation that began in the middle of the night and concluded by sunrise had resulted in an extraordinary act of regime change.

An 'extraordinary act of regime change' but not by some coup - as with President Yanukovych in Ukraine - but in plain sight.

Trump is sending a very explicit message: Play by my rules or you are toast!

Imagine if Putin had deposed President Zelensky of Ukraine in this way or if China had deposed President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan in this way?

The outcry would have been screamingly loud.

Apparently, Maduro will be charged in the USA with narco-terrorism and other crimes:

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi:

“Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.

Nicolas Maduro is charged with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of automatic weapons and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess automatic weapons and destructive devices against the United States.

They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

The Guardian reported some reactions in the UK:

[https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jan/03/caracas-explosions-venezuela-maduro-latest-news-updates-live]

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has reacted to Donald Trump’s military action in Venezuela saying: “The UK was not involved in any way in this operation.”

He added: “I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved ... and I always say and believe we should all uphold international law.”

In other reaction from UK politicians, Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Keir Starmer should condemn Trump’s illegal action in Venezuela. Maduro is a brutal and illegitimate dictator, but unlawful attacks like this make us all less safe. Trump is giving a green light to the likes of Putin and Xi to attack other countries with impunity.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “The American actions in Venezuela overnight are unorthodox and contrary to international law - but if they make China and Russia think twice, it may be a good thing. I hope the Venezuelan people can now turn a new leaf without Maduro.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “The PM and Foreign Secretary should be condemning this illegal strike and breach of international human rights law.
“After years of arming a genocide and worshipping the “special relationship”, Trump now believes he can act with impunity.”

But this is the Monroe Doctrine at work.

The EU is a supporter of regime change in Venezuela having previously declared just under a year ago:

The regime of Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate and his presidency constitutes an unlawful attempt to remain in power by force, MEPs say in a resolution adopted on Thursday.

[https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20250116IPR26331/meps-support-for-venezuela-s-opposition-is-a-moral-duty]

The EU may be clapping now but who knows ... Greenland could be next if an emboldened Trump has his way.

You get what you wish for.