On January 3, 2026, the United States took historic action against a regime that had spent years exporting violence, narcotics, and instability far beyond its borders. In a joint operation involving the U.S. military and law enforcement, Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and removed from the country. Venezuelans around the world have poured into the streets to celebrate the collapse of a brutal dictatorship.
Operation Absolute Resolve was a demonstration of President Trump’s capability, restraint, and willingness to act on behalf of the American people, bringing evil to justice. It was also a reminder of something increasingly uncomfortable for Europe: when confronted with real evil that directly threatens the safety of citizens, the U.S. is willing to act decisively instead of surrendering to constructs of international law.
Nearly all the responses from our Western European allies show how far our most important and culturally consonant allies have drifted from reality, and how process-obsessed they have become.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the intervention as legally “complex,” urging caution and stating that “[i]nternational law remains the guiding framework.” Both Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the strikes as a violation of international law. The European Union’s leadership and subsequent statement, signed by 26 member states, issued familiar calls for restraint and adherence to international law including the U.N. Charter. U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer was quick to confirm his noninvolvement in the strikes and remind the world that he is a "lifelong advocate of international law."
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