On January 3rd, the Venezuelan military announced the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power, following a coordinated operation dubbed “Absolute Resolve” led by U.S. Special Operations forces. The swift action, confirmed by the White House, marked a decisive shift in U.S. Policy toward the region and signaled a renewed willingness to confront perceived threats to its influence in the Western Hemisphere.
The ouster of Maduro, long accused of authoritarian rule and close ties to U.S. Adversaries, has triggered a cascade of geopolitical consequences. Immediately following the operation, a coalition of nations – dubbed the “Shield of America” by the U.S. State Department – began coordinating security and economic assistance to the newly installed interim government in Caracas. Simultaneously, reports emerged of a significant U.S. Naval presence in the Caribbean, effectively establishing a blockade around Cuba, a key ally of the Maduro regime.
This assertive posture represents a stark departure from the past two decades, during which the United States witnessed a gradual erosion of its influence in Latin America. China, Russia, and Iran have steadily expanded their presence in the region, capitalizing on perceived U.S. Disengagement. The Trump administration’s 2025 National Security strategy explicitly warned of this trend, calling for a revitalization of the Monroe Doctrine – the 19th-century U.S. Policy opposing European interference in the Americas – which had largely been sidelined in recent years.
China’s inroads into Latin America have been particularly notable. Initially focused on trade and infrastructure projects, Beijing’s engagement has broadened to encompass arms sales, mineral extraction, and the construction of strategic infrastructure. China secured control of ports at both ends of the Panama Canal and acquired the largest freight port in the Western Hemisphere, located in the Bahamas. More concerning to U.S. Intelligence officials, China has established an extensive network of dual-utilize space ground stations and telescopes across the region, including facilities in Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil. A February 2026 report by the House Select Committee on China detailed how this network is used to collect intelligence and enhance the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
According to the report, China’s largest non-domestic space facility is located in Argentina’s Patagonian Desert. A December 2025 policy paper released by China underscored the strategic importance of Latin America, outlining new programs for closer cooperation across all sectors. These developments have fueled concerns in Washington about China’s long-term ambitions in the region and its potential to challenge U.S. Security interests.
While Russia’s influence in Latin America has been less pervasive than China’s, its military relationship with Venezuela under Maduro was substantial. Prior to Maduro’s removal, Venezuela possessed a significant arsenal of Russian-made weaponry, including Su-30MK2 fighter jets, S-300VM air defense systems, and Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense complexes. Reports indicated the presence of Wagner Group mercenaries in Caracas as recently as 2024, providing security for Maduro and training Venezuelan combat units.
A joint strategic partnership initiative between Russia and Venezuela, reaffirmed in 2025, solidified their cooperation within the OPEC+ framework and outlined plans for joint efforts to stabilize global energy markets and counter U.S. Sanctions. Maduro publicly stated in October 2025 that Venezuela possessed over 5,000 IGLA-S surface-to-air missiles.
Iran’s involvement in the region, while less extensive, has focused on circumventing sanctions and providing support to its proxy groups, particularly Hezbollah. Venezuela has served as a key transit point for Iranian arms shipments, including Petkaap III prompt attack boats, CM-90 anti-ship missiles, and GPS jammers. Intelligence reports suggest that Iranian-made drones are being produced in Venezuela, and Iranian-designed fast-attack naval vessels have been observed in Venezuelan waters. Brazilian authorities disrupted a Hezbollah cell planning attacks against Jewish sites in São Paulo in 2023, and Peruvian authorities arrested an Iranian Quds Force officer in 2024 for allegedly planning assassinations of Israeli citizens.
The U.S. Intervention in Venezuela is rooted in a broader concern about the growing presence of these adversaries in its backyard. Throughout the Cold War, the U.S. Actively countered Soviet influence in the Western Hemisphere, often through proxy conflicts and support for anti-communist regimes. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Washington largely neglected this competition, allowing China, Russia, and Iran to gain a foothold in the region.
U.S. Officials now recognize the importance of securing its borders and maintaining strong relationships with its neighbors. This requires a combination of trade, diplomacy, and robust intelligence gathering to monitor the activities of adversaries in the region. The current administration believes that a proactive approach is necessary to prevent these actors from compromising U.S. Supply lines, communications, and transportation routes.
The U.S. Navy continues to maintain a heightened presence in the Caribbean, and the “Shield of America” coalition is working to stabilize Venezuela’s economy and security situation. However, the long-term implications of “Absolute Resolve” remain uncertain. Cuba has condemned the operation and continues to provide support to exiled Maduro loyalists. Russia has denounced the U.S. Intervention as a violation of international law, and China has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency session to discuss the situation, but a consensus on a course of action appears unlikely.
