Cyprus Times

US Arrest of Maduro: A Turning Point in US-Latin America Relations

Published January 3, 2026, 12:08
US Arrest of Maduro: A Turning Point in US-Latin America Relations

The arrest of Nicolás Maduro by the US marks a significant shift in US-Latin America relations, an intervention unseen since the invasion of Panama in 1989. The US accuses Maduro of drug trafficking and does not recognize the 2024 elections, while Caracas accuses the US of attempting to seize its oil reserves. The day after in Venezuela remains uncertain, with the opposition, led by María Corina Machado or Edmundo González, hoping to take power. However, the strong loyalty of the military to Maduro and the risk of destabilization complicate the situation. The arrest is causing concern among Maduro's close allies about their future.