Resolves based on mainstream reporting, with 2 sources or one authoritative source confirming connection. Firing or forcing to resign counts.

Resolution sources may include: official White House statements, major news outlets (Reuters, AP, Bloomberg, WSJ, etc.), Department of Defense announcements, or congressional testimony. The connection to Venezuela must be explicitly stated or clearly implied in reporting (e.g., disagreement over military operations, policy direction, or implementation of Venezuela initiatives).

Background

As of January 3, 2026, US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro following a large-scale military strike. Top administration officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are involved in overseeing Venezuela operations. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard previously opposed military intervention in Venezuela during Trump's first term, writing in 2019 that intervention was "about the oil".

The Trump administration has conducted 35 known strikes against alleged drug smuggling boats in South American waters since early September, killing at least 115 people. Information about the operation was so closely guarded that the Defense Department was not brought into its exact timing until Friday night, suggesting potential internal disagreements over the scope and authorization of military action.

Considerations

The Venezuela operation represents an unprecedented assertion of direct US control over a foreign nation's government. The United States has not had a diplomatic presence in Venezuela since its embassy closed in 2019, creating significant logistical and coordination challenges. Trump's assertion of indefinite US control over Venezuela is unprecedented, and he has yet to answer basic questions about his plans to control a country of 28 million people. Given the scale and novelty of this undertaking, disagreements between officials over implementation strategy or legal authority could plausibly lead to departures.