In Venezuela, Support Diplomatic Efforts to Restore Democracy

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The United States launched a military attack on Venezuela and took into custody the country's anti-American, socialist president, Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

In the past, President Donald Trump had labeled the synthetic drug fentanyl, which is flowing into the US from Latin American countries, including Venezuela, as a "weapon of mass destruction." He also characterized Venezuela a "narco-state," called Maduro a "narco-terrorist," and repeatedly called for his resignation.

The government of Argentina has expressed support for the US attack on Venezuela. However, other Latin American countries have criticized the US move as an "infringement of sovereignty" that constitutes "changing the status quo by force." China and Russia have also criticized the US actions. But they have no legitimacy in doing so, considering their own lawless conduct.

*Helicopters fly over smoke rising from the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on January 3 (Source: ©Reuters)*

The Trump administration should respond to the objections raised by various countries and explain the reasons and circumstances that led to Maduro's arrest. We would like to see the situation resolved as soon as possible and the democratization of Venezuela advanced.

Maduro's Hotly Contested Presidency

Maduro took office in 2013 as the successor to the late anti-American, leftist president Hugo Chavez. Despite Venezuela boasting the world's largest proven oil reserves, the Maduro administration's reckless spending has resulted in hyperinflation and the country's fiscal collapse.

Maduro managed to cling to power by thoroughly suppressing the opposition in its July 2024 presidential election, which he is widely believed to have lost. The US and other countries then demanded that he leave office.

Over the past decade, roughly eight million people, or about one-quarter of the total population, have fled Venezuela. Maduro's arrest has been welcomed by many Venezuelans, both at home and abroad. He has turned their homeland into a failed state devoid of freedom, democracy, and prosperity.

*Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro heads from the heliport to the courthouse in Manhattan, New York, on January 5. (©Reuters via Kyodo*)

Illicit Drugs and Dictators

This is not the first time the United States has launched a military assault on another country. In late 1989, the US military invaded Panama and arrested that nation's dictator, General Manuel Noriega, on drug trafficking charges. And in June 2025, it attacked Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Maduro regime has grown closer to China and Russia, with China in particular investing heavily in Venezuela's oil fields. Had the situation been left unchecked, Venezuela might have become an anti-American military base catering to the strategic aims of China and Russia.

Removing Maduro likely has prevented Venezuela from becoming a "second Cuba," as it was during the Cold War.

Nonetheless, it would be undesirable for the United States to focus its attention solely on the Western Hemisphere. It is also important to create an environment in which the US will always be prepared to respond to emergencies regarding Taiwan or the Korean Peninsula.

*Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (©Sankei by Ataru Haruna)*

The US is Japan's only ally. And Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reacted judiciously to the events in Venezuela, neither directly endorsing nor condemning the US conduct. Instead, she wisely declared, "Japan will promote diplomatic efforts to restore democracy and stabilize the situation in Venezuela."