Daring U.S. raid on Venezuelan dictator shows President Trump's commitment to prosperity

Tonight, Ezra recaps a whirlwind of a weekend in the world of geopolitical events.

Before dawn on January 3, a combined American assault on Venezuela was carried out. Not a full-scale invasion — not even a “special military operation”. Rather, President Trump ordered the military to carry out what amounted to a large-scale law enforcement operation to capture Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro, the socialist tyrant of Venezuela, was indicted on narco-terrorism charges in the U.S., Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed. A similar indictment was levelled against Maduro in 2020.

Spectacularly, the American forces suffered no casualties in the operation. Some lives were lost, though, as Cuba confirmed 32 security officials serving as Maduro's personal bodyguards were eliminated.

Shockingly, a Chinese delegation had been meeting with the Venezuelan dictator just prior to the assault. Worse yet for China, its much-touted anti-air defences were rendered ineffective by the U.S. forces.

The mission, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, shows President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are taking a very interesting approach, a more peaceful type of regime change than America's previous nation-building efforts.

The U.S. has cited its interests in the South American country, citing its lucrative oil reserves and pledging to restore economic prosperity to the nation. The U.S. is even working with existing parts of Maduro's former regime, including recognizing Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader.

But the operation isn't without its critics. In New York, where Maduro will stand trial, socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, condemned Maduro's capture. European leaders also criticized the attack as a violation of the rules-based international order.

In Canada, Mark Carney delivered a passive aggressive tweet in response.

But what is this so-called international law, and who are the international police to enforce it? Or the judge to hear the case? Ezra Levant breaks down the many angles to the dramatic start to 2026.

GUEST: Rebel News reporter Alexa Lavoie and producer Efrain Monsanto travelled to Miami, where a massive Venezuelan exile community lives. We close out the show looking back at their reports.Tonight, Ezra recaps a whirlwind of a weekend in the world of geopolitical events.

Before dawn on January 3, a combined American assault on Venezuela was carried out. Not a full-scale invasion — not even a “special military operation”. Rather, President Trump ordered the military to carry out what amounted to a large-scale law enforcement operation to capture Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro, the socialist tyrant of Venezuela, was indicted on narco-terrorism charges in the U.S., Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed. A similar indictment was levelled against Maduro in 2020.

Spectacularly, the American forces suffered no casualties in the operation. Some lives were lost, though, as Cuba confirmed 32 security officials serving as Maduro's personal bodyguards were eliminated.

Shockingly, a Chinese delegation had been meeting with the Venezuelan dictator just prior to the assault. Worse yet for China, its much-touted anti-air defences were rendered ineffective by the U.S. forces.

The mission, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, shows President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are taking a very interesting approach, a more peaceful type of regime change than America's previous nation-building efforts.

The U.S. has cited its interests in the South American country, citing its lucrative oil reserves and pledging to restore economic prosperity to the nation. The U.S. is even working with existing parts of Maduro's former regime, including recognizing Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader.

But the operation isn't without its critics. In New York, where Maduro will stand trial, socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, condemned Maduro's capture. European leaders also criticized the attack as a violation of the rules-based international order.

In Canada, Mark Carney delivered a passive aggressive tweet in response.

But what is this so-called international law, and who are the international police to enforce it? Or the judge to hear the case? Ezra Levant breaks down the many angles to the dramatic start to 2026.

GUEST: Rebel News reporter Alexa Lavoie and producer Efrain Monsanto travelled to Miami, where a massive Venezuelan exile community lives. We close out the show looking back at their reports.