When the US military crosses the red line of sovereignty: A chain reaction from Venezuela to the gold market
2026-01-05 10:50:28
The United States launched a military operation against Venezuela on January 3, which resulted in the arrest and removal of Venezuelan President Maduro. The operation involved strikes against military bases and multiple targets, causing civilian casualties, and Venezuela subsequently declared a state of emergency.
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation after US President Donald Trump announced the arrest and expulsion of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Moscow reportedly described the January 3rd action as an armed incursion and warned that such actions would significantly increase the risk of further escalation in an already volatile region.
Russia’s response reflects its long-standing opposition to unilateral military action, particularly in Latin America, where Moscow has repeatedly stressed that the region should remain a peaceful area free from external interference.
On January 3, President Trump announced on his Truth Social account that the U.S. military had conducted what he called a successful large-scale operation in Venezuela, resulting in the arrest and removal of President Maduro and his wife from the country. He stated that the mission was coordinated with U.S. law enforcement, and further details would be released later.
In a brief phone interview, President Trump praised the operation as well-planned and executed brilliantly.
Following the explosions in Caracas on January 3, Venezuelan officials confirmed that the country had been directly attacked by the United States. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that US helicopters fired rockets and missiles at Fort Tiuna military base—the location of the Ministry of Defense and a core military hub—which has also been used to strike multiple targets in Caracas, Miranda, and Aragua states.
According to López, some of the attacks occurred in civilian areas, and the government is still compiling casualty figures. Shortly thereafter, Venezuela declared a nationwide state of emergency, and subsequently confirmed that Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states had also suffered further attacks.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gill accused the US government of attempting to control the country's natural resources, claiming the military action was part of a broader strategy to undermine national sovereignty. President Maduro has consistently rejected US accusations that his government condones large-scale smuggling, arguing that the anti-drug operation is merely a pretext for the US to overthrow the regime and force him to step down.
Maduro warned that any direct military intervention would be met with resistance, reinforcing Caracas's stance on defending national independence and resisting foreign pressure.
Moscow reiterated its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and supported the call for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Venezuela must be allowed to decide its own political future without external coercion.
Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, characterized the strike as an attempt by Washington to overthrow a government it deemed unpopular, accusing the United States of imposing its will through military means.
According to another report, U.S. Senator Mike Lee stated on January 3 that with Maduro's arrest, the U.S. military operations in Venezuela have ended. Lee, in a post on social media platform X, quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying that since Maduro is now in U.S. custody, further military action is unlikely.
Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reiterated that Maduro will face legal proceedings, suggesting that Washington's focus may be shifting from military action to judicial and diplomatic procedures.
Russia's condemnation highlights the rapid repercussions of US intervention in Venezuela beyond Latin America. Moscow's call for restraint and international dialogue reveals deep divisions on sovereignty, the limits of intervention, and acceptable boundaries of power in resolving political crises. Whether diplomatic channels can de-escalate these tensions will not only determine Venezuela's future but also impact broader geopolitical stability.
The US military intervention in Venezuela is a geopolitical shockwave that will likely hit international financial markets in early 2026. Gold, as the most reliable "ballast" in this turmoil, has entered a new event-driven phase, with both upside risk and volatility expected to increase significantly.
On Monday (January 5) during the Asian trading session, spot gold fluctuated upwards, rising by about 1.6%.
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
At 10:50 Beijing time, spot gold is trading at $4402.94 per ounce.
Moscow's immediate response to US military intervention
The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation after US President Donald Trump announced the arrest and expulsion of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Moscow reportedly described the January 3rd action as an armed incursion and warned that such actions would significantly increase the risk of further escalation in an already volatile region.
Russia’s response reflects its long-standing opposition to unilateral military action, particularly in Latin America, where Moscow has repeatedly stressed that the region should remain a peaceful area free from external interference.
Washington confirms operation and celebrates results
On January 3, President Trump announced on his Truth Social account that the U.S. military had conducted what he called a successful large-scale operation in Venezuela, resulting in the arrest and removal of President Maduro and his wife from the country. He stated that the mission was coordinated with U.S. law enforcement, and further details would be released later.
In a brief phone interview, President Trump praised the operation as well-planned and executed brilliantly.
Venezuela reports attacks on military and civilian areas
Following the explosions in Caracas on January 3, Venezuelan officials confirmed that the country had been directly attacked by the United States. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that US helicopters fired rockets and missiles at Fort Tiuna military base—the location of the Ministry of Defense and a core military hub—which has also been used to strike multiple targets in Caracas, Miranda, and Aragua states.
According to López, some of the attacks occurred in civilian areas, and the government is still compiling casualty figures. Shortly thereafter, Venezuela declared a nationwide state of emergency, and subsequently confirmed that Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states had also suffered further attacks.
The struggle between resources and sovereignty
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gill accused the US government of attempting to control the country's natural resources, claiming the military action was part of a broader strategy to undermine national sovereignty. President Maduro has consistently rejected US accusations that his government condones large-scale smuggling, arguing that the anti-drug operation is merely a pretext for the US to overthrow the regime and force him to step down.
Maduro warned that any direct military intervention would be met with resistance, reinforcing Caracas's stance on defending national independence and resisting foreign pressure.
Russia calls for international intervention
Moscow reiterated its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and supported the call for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that Venezuela must be allowed to decide its own political future without external coercion.
Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, characterized the strike as an attempt by Washington to overthrow a government it deemed unpopular, accusing the United States of imposing its will through military means.
Washington signals possible cooling measures
According to another report, U.S. Senator Mike Lee stated on January 3 that with Maduro's arrest, the U.S. military operations in Venezuela have ended. Lee, in a post on social media platform X, quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying that since Maduro is now in U.S. custody, further military action is unlikely.
Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reiterated that Maduro will face legal proceedings, suggesting that Washington's focus may be shifting from military action to judicial and diplomatic procedures.
Russia's condemnation highlights the rapid repercussions of US intervention in Venezuela beyond Latin America. Moscow's call for restraint and international dialogue reveals deep divisions on sovereignty, the limits of intervention, and acceptable boundaries of power in resolving political crises. Whether diplomatic channels can de-escalate these tensions will not only determine Venezuela's future but also impact broader geopolitical stability.
Impact on the gold market
The US military intervention in Venezuela is a geopolitical shockwave that will likely hit international financial markets in early 2026. Gold, as the most reliable "ballast" in this turmoil, has entered a new event-driven phase, with both upside risk and volatility expected to increase significantly.
On Monday (January 5) during the Asian trading session, spot gold fluctuated upwards, rising by about 1.6%.
(Spot gold daily chart, source: FX678)
At 10:50 Beijing time, spot gold is trading at $4402.94 per ounce.
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