What Maduro’s ouster means for global security

The unfolding crisis in Venezuela marks a pivotal moment for U.S. foreign policy and international security. Following a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration, U.S. forces carried out military strikes and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in an early-morning operation on January 3. Maduro and his wife were subsequently transferred to New York, where they were arraigned in federal court on January 5 and pleaded not guilty to U.S. criminal charges. They are now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where they will remain until their next court appearance in March. 

The operation has prompted strong reactions from governments worldwide and raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, regional stability, and the future of U.S. engagement in Latin America. As the implications of Maduro’s removal come into focus, critical issues emerge: What does this mean for U.S. foreign policy and international norms? How will it shape regional security, narcotics trafficking, and Venezuela’s political future? 

On Thursday, January 8, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings will convene an online discussion to examine the U.S. strikes on Venezuela and the ouster and capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The conversation will explore the wider implications for U.S. foreign policy and international security, the intersection of the Maduro regime and narcotics networks, the domestic political and legal considerations, and the impact on global energy markets. Vera Bergengruen, national security reporter with The Wall Street Journal, will moderate the discussion. 

Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to [email protected].