The Arrest Of Nicholas Maduro By The US And Other Matters -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

On the early hours of January 3, 2026, exactly 36 years of the invasion of Panama by the United States, the world woke up to the news that the US has again invaded Venezuela in an operation codenamed Absolute Resolve to pick up the Venezuelan President, Nicholas Maduro just as the Reagan administration picked up Manuel Noriega, the then Panama President. The accusation was the same; they are both accused of drug-related offenses.

The invasion of Venezuela and the arrest of Nicholas Maduro by the US has generated a lot ripples in the diplomatic circles and the international media. The US has labelled Maduro a narcotic-terrorist whose arrest will stop the illicit drug trafficking around the US and the Americas but some observers are pointing out what they termed the real reasons behind the operation. Some believe that the US has no right under the international convention to invade another country without diplomatic rift except in case of self-defense. It is a violation of the country’s sovereignty, the unilateral use of force inside a sovereign state without UN Security Council authorization is illegal under international law. It is an arrogant display of power that can trigger off international conflicts and chaos if unchecked.

Some analysts point out that the main reason for the attack on Venezuela is economic control: the US desire to control strategic resources and international trade and it dates beyond Maduro era. It is said that the Venezuelan economic policies are threatening American interest built on petrodollar. Venezuela is said to have about 20% of the world oil reserve and for some time now, it has bypassed the dollar and selling its oil in Chinese Yuan and other currencies outside the dollar; something the US finds disagreeable. Again, it is said that they are developing a payment system outside dollar control, proposed to join the BRICS group is actively building payment systems that bypass the dollar entirely, and they are partnering with China, Russia and Iran, the three countries leading the de-dollarization of the global oil trade. Some alluded that it was the same reason that Saddam Hussein and the Libyan Gaddafi were attacked; to maintain American dominance and control of the international oil trade.

It is possible that the invasion of Venezuela by the US is not about fighting terrorism or restoring democracy but about power and control. The rift between United States of America and Venezuela began in the 70s when the Venezuelan authorities began the nationalization of state assets that affected many American interests in the oil-rich country. Washington responded by declaring economic war on Venezuela. The regime of Hugo Chavez, the Maduro’s predecessor suffered the most. There were sanctions financial isolation, asset seizures, blocked access to global credit. The economy was deliberately strangulated while the media narratives were globally coordinated to discredit the Venezuela government as the citizens migrate out of the country in droves just for survival. But Hugo Chavez was not attacked because the US could not find anything to incriminate him. But not so with Maduro who has been fingered in the illicit narcotic trade.

So, in a way the US can justify the attack on Maduro as a form of self-defense; to punish a drug trafficker whose activities harm American citizens even when the main objective seems to be control; to showcase American strength to its global competitors and adversaries.

It is interesting to note that thousands of Venezuelan citizens took to the street to celebrate the fall of their president in spite of the fact that he was forced out by external power. It is an indication that President Nicholas Maduro was a bad leader who may be guilty as charged by the Trump’s America. Internally, he has been accused of corruption, autocracy and rigging himself to power. Before the invasion, it was reported that he wasted tax payers’ money on frivolities including paying millions of dollars to Prophet Owuor from Kenya and other prayer contractors to pray for him against the US invasion.

However, my interest in the whole saga is the lesson for countries with unscrupulous leaders like Nigeria. Recently, the US government invaded ISIS camp in Nigeria killing thousands of supposed terrorists in Sokoto; something the Nigerian government could not do. And millions of Nigerians applauded the move.

Since the advent of the current administration, the country has been weaken internally with self-serving leaders insensitive to the yearnings of the populace. There is wide-scale insecurity and palpable tension everywhere. The interest of those in power is to remain in power by any means necessary. The interest of the nation is subordinated to personal or parochial interest. The citizens live misery and in danger while those in power live in affluence. With mounting external debt and dependency, the country is vulnerable to external manipulation. And with current situation in the country, Nigeria does not look sovereign but fragile and vulnerable. No functional public infrastructure, institutions are weaken, the courts are compromised while the people lose interest in the electoral processed that is flawed. And it is no secret that most citizens of Nigeria are secretly yearning for the Maduro-kind of operation to be done in Nigeria.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed 

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK