When U.S. forces carried out a large-scale military operation in Caracas on January 3, 2026—capturing President Nicolás Maduro and transporting him to New York to face U.S. indictments—Washington framed the moment as resolution. President Donald Trump declared Venezuela’s long crisis effectively over, announcing that the United States would “run” the country for a period of time and openly discussing the reinstallation of U.S. oil interests. The language was casual, almost improvisational, as if Venezuela were an unruly subsidiary finally brought to heel.