The U.S. Military bombed Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela on Jan. 3 2026, capturing their President, Nicolás Maduro, as well as his wife, Cilia Flores. This came after Maduro and his family were charged with narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. 

Maduro pleaded not guilty to all charges until their next court hearing, which is set for Mar. 17.  

President Donald Trump posted a meme on social media on Jan. 11 saying he is “the acting president of Venezuela.” 

Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as interim president on Jan. 5 was outraged by this message.

 “Those who seek harm and evil for Venezuela must be completely rejected and separated from the national life of this homeland” Rodriguez said.  

Venezuelan students and teachers at NW have mixed opinions on whether the U.S. should be partially controlling the country while Maduro is still on trial.

Venezuelan born math teacher, Tatiana Briceno, is concerned this will lead Venezuela to be another controlled U.S. territory,

“Is the American government going to take over?” Briceno said. “We need the help, but we don’t want to be another Puerto Rico.”

There are similar worries about the intent behind U.S intervention because it was “part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to take control of the South American country’s oil” an AP News source said.  

Others disagree.

“It would be good if that happened to Venezuela,” senior Mark Johnson said.

He believes it would benefit the economy and the lives of Venezuelans if the U.S took political control.

A common conclusion amidst Briceno and Johnson was the worry for their families back in Venezuela. 

Briceno is concerned that there is too much uncertainty of what life will look like for her family during this period of political tension.  

“Rent is not going to just freeze,” Briceno said.    

Johnson said it was hard to keep up with his school and work life “the first few days” after the attacks.

“Am I going to lose my family there?” Johnson said.

Although the fear for their families is strong, the Venezuelan people are glad to finally have international action after fighting an authoritarian president by themselves for far too long. 

“We tried to show other people, and nobody’s been doing anything about it,” Briceno said.“Finally, there’s international action.”