The US military has launched an attack on Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro in an operation by the elite Delta Force unit. Donald Trump has stated that Washington will govern the country until a safe transition. The event threatens to raise oil prices amid geopolitical tensions.
On January 3, 2026, the United States began a military intervention in Venezuela, marking a shift in international relations in Latin America. Reports indicate that the Delta Force unit captured Nicolás Maduro, with bombings recorded in the country. The first image of the detained Maduro circulated widely, confirming the operation. Trump stated that 'Washington will govern Venezuela until there is a safe transition'.
The attack follows prior tensions. In March 2025, Trump revoked licenses for oil companies like Repsol to purchase Venezuelan crude, reducing Spain's imports by 70.2%, from 2.5 million tons to 745,000 tons between January and October 2025. Repsol awaits recovery of 586 million euros owed by the Venezuelan government, from a 1,110 million credit granted in 2016 to PDVSA.
The economic impact focuses on oil. The Brent barrel closed 2025 around 60 dollars, a 20% annual drop and over 50% from the 128 dollars in March 2022. Venezuela produces 783,000 barrels per day (2.9% of OPEC in 2023), but holds 303 billion barrels in reserves (19.3% worldwide). A Citi report warns that escalation could boost prices short-term to 75 dollars, though the base scenario forecasts declines in Q1 2026 due to supply excess.
This event opens a new era of interventions in Latin America, according to analysts, and could disrupt global crude supply.
