Lessons from Venezuela: What Every Nation Must Learn About Modern Imperialism

In recent days, Venezuela has witnessed an event that feels like history repeating itself. Centuries ago, imperial powers such as England, France, and Spain invaded nations under the pretext of “reform” or “civilization.” Today, the United States appears to be following a similar path—but on a scale that dwarfs the colonial exploits of the past.

Under the cover of night, American Special Forces executed a surgical strike. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured, detained, and transported to the United States. They now face charges related to illicit substances and weapons in New York.

This operation was announced with stark clarity: the U.S. will now assume control over Venezuela’s government, its natural resources, and its oil. In doing so, Washington has openly signaled that international law no longer constrains its actions. What Russia faced criticism for in Ukraine, the U.S. now conducts in Venezuela—with global applause.

Consider the implications: if another power, such as China, applied the same logic to Taiwan—or if territorial disputes arose in Ladakh or Arunachal Pradesh—the world would be left watching silently.

Operation Venezuela: Precision, Power, and Surprise

The tensions between Washington and Caracas are decades-old. Over recent months, U.S. warships circled Venezuela’s coast, a grim prelude to what was to come. On January 3, American intelligence and Special Forces received authorisation for a decisive strike.

From 20 military bases and naval ships, more than 150 aircraft—including drones, fighter jets, and bombers—were deployed. Venezuelan infrastructure was hit with cyberattacks, large areas lost power, and air defence systems were neutralised.

At 2:00 a.m., helicopters descended on Maduro’s compound. Despite initial resistance, Delta Force’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment reached Maduro’s quarters in three minutes. By 4:30 a.m., he and his wife were aboard the USS Iwo Jima, bound for New York. The operation mirrored the precision used in Osama bin Laden’s capture—except here, the target was a sitting head of state, not a convicted terrorist.

This raises pressing questions: Is Venezuela’s oil the main prize, or is the objective broader—controlling the petrodollar, strategic influence, and geopolitical leverage?

The Real Stakes: Oil, Petrodollars, and Geopolitics

Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves—over 300 billion barrels, surpassing even Saudi Arabia. Yet due to political mismanagement, sanctions, and technological deficits, extraction has lagged. American companies are poised to invest billions, rebuild infrastructure, and maximise output.

Oil is more than a commodity; it is power. Control over oil means influence over global pricing and, by extension, geopolitical leverage. For decades, almost all oil has been traded in U.S. dollars, ensuring dollar dominance. A country that bypasses the dollar—like Venezuela trading oil in yuan or Russia bartering energy—directly challenges Washington’s global financial hegemony.

This operation is also a clear message: challenging the U.S. economic system carries immediate consequences. History is full of similar patterns—countries like Iraq, Libya, and Iran faced military or covert action when attempting to sidestep dollar dominance.

Imperialism Reimagined

What happened in Venezuela is not just about one nation. It signals a structural shift in global order. The U.S. President acted without congressional approval, ignored international mandates, and redefined the limits of executive power. Sovereignty, non-intervention, and UN protocols now appear secondary to raw power.

China and Russia condemned the move, but alliances are tightening, military doctrines are being rewritten, and nations are bracing for a world where deterrence may be the only safeguard. The era of "law-based international order" is giving way to one dictated by might.

Who’s Next?

The operation in Venezuela is a warning to every government that resists U.S. influence. Cuba, Iran, and countries within the BRICS alliance—Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa—are now under scrutiny. Any nation attempting to challenge the dollar system or American dominance could face a similar fate.

For India, this is a wake-up call. Despite decades of alliance with the U.S., the geopolitical realities of this New Imperialism expose vulnerabilities. Global conflicts today are fought not just with tanks or missiles, but through control over currency, energy, and supply chains. Nations unprepared for these modern wars risk becoming passive targets.

China has quietly observed and learned from Venezuela. If the U.S. can act against a sitting president, so could other powers in contested regions—Taiwan being the most immediate example. For India, the lesson is clear: strength, strategic foresight, and self-reliance are no longer optional—they are essential.

What's The Conclusion

Venezuela’s ordeal is a stark reminder: international law and global institutions may offer rhetoric but not protection. Power, not principles, now governs outcomes. America’s actions reveal a world where might dictates terms, and deterrence becomes the only reliable shield. For nations across the globe, understanding this new imperial reality is the first step toward survival.

History is no longer written by those who preach democracy—it is written by those who command power.

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