The Arrest of Nicholas Maduro and the “Madness” of Donald Trump

The attack illustrates a shift in the foreign policy of the United States, particularly in its relations with countries deemed to pose threats or harm to American interests. Now, the U.S. military does not hesitate to carry out direct interventions against countries considered detrimental to American interests, even if it means violating laws and international norms.

The first attack was a massive bombing of Iran's largest nuclear facility in Fordow on June 21, 2025, involving seven B-2 stealth bombers dropping 14 GBU-57 bombs, the largest bunker-busting bombs used by the United States. The attack was supported by two aircraft carriers, 125 U.S. fighter jets including F-35s and F-22s, and involved information deception by President Donald Trump.

As a result, Iran's nuclear facility, which is believed to be ready to produce nuclear fuel (uranium U-235) with weapon-grade enrichment levels, has been completely destroyed. The White House website (25/6/2025) reported that satellite images show a large crater and a gray-blue bomb entry hole covering the area around the facility. The United States is confident that the facility has sustained severe damage and will require years to become operational again.

The second “crazy” US attack was the latest raid on the private residence of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro in the capital Caracas on Saturday after midnight, January 3, 2026. The attack, titled “Operation Absolute Resolve,” succeeded in capturing President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, without being prevented by his bodyguards or the Venezuelan armed forces.

In terms of military operations, the capture operation of Maduro represents a resounding success of the largest U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the Panama invasion 37 years ago. The operation proceeded smoothly for approximately 2.5 hours, with no casualties on the U.S. side, and only one helicopter experiencing damage.

The operation itself had been prepared for months, involving one aircraft carrier, one amphibious assault ship, 150 fighter jets and helicopters, as well as hundreds of elite U.S. special forces, Delta Force. At the time the operation took place, Caracas was simultaneously attacked by hundreds of U.S. aircraft flying from the U.S., the U.S. base in Puerto Rico, and aircraft carriers.

Dozens of Venezuelan operational fighter jets consisting of 14 Su-30 units; 3 units of the old F-16 series, and the BUK-M2E anti-aircraft weapon system, as well as the Russian-made S-300VM, were unable to block the attack of America's gigantic defense equipment. Likewise, a number of Chinese-made JY-27 anti-stealth radars installed by Venezuela in strategic locations in Caracas to create layered protection, were unable to detect a single US stealth jet.

It is not surprising that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, in his speech at the Newport News Shipbuilding yard on Monday (5/1/2026), mocked the Russian-made air defense system that failed to stop 200 elite Delta Force troops entering Caracas with Blackhawk and Boeing combat helicopters.

"It seems that Russia's air defense is not working very well, is it?" mocked Hegseth. Clearly, Hegseth intended to provoke his opponents by highlighting the success of the operation. He pointed out the limitations of China's JY-27 radar defense technology as well as the S-300 and BUK missile systems, which failed to detect US stealth jets. Pete Hegseth confidently stated that the military strength of the US is now at a level of "absolute dominance" compared to its closest rivals, Russia and China.

The behavior of the war minister is not much different from that of President Donald Trump. Previously, in an official speech at Mar-A Lago, Palm Beach, Florida (3/1/2026), shortly after the execution of the attack on Venezuela, President Trump stated, "This is one of the most astonishing, effective, and devastating demonstrations of American military power and competence in American history."

"No other country has ever been able to match what the United States has achieved," he added. Trump also mentioned the unmatched achievements of American troops in the past, when they successfully killed Qasem Soleimani (Iranian major general) - January 3, 2020; Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi (leader of ISIS) - October 26, 2019; and carried out operation midnight hammer (bombing of Iranian nuclear sites) - June 22, 2025.

The pattern of attacks by the US government to "punish" foreign countries or armed forces deemed enemies has actually been carried out by previous US presidents as well. Almost all US presidents, whether from the Democratic or Republican parties, have at some point used offensive military force against countries or actors considered to threaten or harm US interests. What differs is the frequency, justification, scale, and style of communication used to rationalize these actions.

Regardless of the glaring violations of international law, national sovereignty, and unwritten norms in the relationships of modern nation-states, it must be acknowledged that the precision strikes by US forces have left both adversaries and allies stunned and slow to react to the speed and accuracy of the approximately 200 special forces involved in capturing Maduro.

Especially during the first and current second term of President Donald Trump, the desire for war seems to be uncontainable. The difference is that while previous presidents like Joe Biden direct a pessimistic view towards Russia, Trump focuses more on China and its influence in Latin America and Africa.

This attack on Venezuela has shocked not only the international community but even the US Congress itself. Veteran Republican Senator Bernie Sanders vehemently condemned Trump's decision and called for an immediate congressional investigation. Meanwhile, an editorial in The New York Times (January 5, 2026) called Trump's attack an illegal and unwise act of imperialism.

Although the attack made headlines worldwide, by the fourth day following Maduro's arrest (7/1/2026), the socio-political turmoil was relatively minimal in Venezuela, the United States, and the international community.

Countries that condemn or denounce the majority of arrests include Venezuela's allies such as China, Cuba, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, although the United Kingdom, Spain, and Portugal have also expressed condemnation. Conversely, countries allied with the United States, such as Israel, Italy, France, and several neighboring countries in Latin America, tend to adopt a supportive tone and consider the actions of the United States legitimate.

It is undeniable that many people in Venezuela are actually celebrating the arrest of President Nicholas Maduro. The interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, in a statement on Tuesday (6/1/2026), also took a conciliatory stance towards the United States and expressed openness to collaborate in building Venezuela.

What the general public may not realize is that behind the highly accurate, swift, and tactical attacks by the United States, there has actually been a drastic change in U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding national defense. Previously, the U.S. was characterized by a defensive national defense policy; however, since the Trump era, there has been a reversal of this policy direction towards an aggressive stance.

The starting point of this political change actually began during the first term of President Trump, when the U.S. conducted a unilateral strike against Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020. However, this shift in defense policy seemed to be interrupted by Trump's defeat in the election by Joe Biden, and has only resurfaced in this period.

This was marked by the renaming of the US Department of Defense (Department of Defense) to the War Department on September 5, 2025, by President Donald Trump. Shortly before the signing of the document authorizing the change in the department's name and nomenclature in the Oval Office of the White House, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the renaming reflected their intention to return to a more aggressive mindset for the military.

"This restores, as you have directed us, President Trump restores the chivalrous ethos," said Hegseth during the press release. "The Department of War will fight decisively and surely, not just engage in endless warfare," he added.

Referring to the naming after World War II, the name Department of War was actually used by the United States before 1947, when it was then changed to the Department of Defense by a decision of the U.S. Congress, which according to Trump, resulted in the U.S. not winning any major wars for the past 76 years.

"We could win every war, but we choose to be too politically cautious or too socially sensitive, and (as a result) we keep fighting endless wars, and ultimately we just fight to a draw," said Donald Trump as quoted from the Defense One page (5/9/2025).

The renaming of the U.S. Department of Defense to the Department of War on September 5, 2025, reflects a significant change in the mission and military posture of the United States under the administration of Donald Trump.

Going forward, the US will increasingly conduct lightning strikes without a formal declaration of war to cripple the enemy, as seen in operations at Fordow and Caracas. As Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated, the department's new focus is on "offense, not just defense" and prioritizes "maximum lethality."

President Trump referred to this change as part of an effort to cleanse the military of what he calls "woke" ideology or progressive policies that he believes weaken the morale and combat focus of the troops.

The US government uses this name as a strong diplomatic message to adversaries (such as Iran and North Korea) that moving forward, the US is prepared and willing to use military force to secure its national interests, rather than merely engaging in deterrence.

As happened at Fordow and Caracas, the US will ultimately strike swiftly with overwhelming force, a practice that has been US war doctrine since World War II. The difference is that this overwhelming force is now aimed at ensuring the success of military operations rather than launching a full-scale, open invasion.

This aligns with Hegseth's principle of attack: "Decisive" (sure, certain, accurate), and guarantees victory. The definition of "winning" also becomes more focused, encompassing the destruction of key elements of the enemy's forces, including influential figures or military officers, rather than the entire army, which would inevitably require more resources and casualties.

This name change is accompanied by a surge in funding to enhance combat readiness and modernize weapons. The Trump administration proposed a national defense budget of 1.01 trillion US dollars for the fiscal year 2026, marking the first time in US history that the figure has surpassed one trillion dollars. This amount represents a 13 percent increase compared to the 2025 defense budget and a 20 percent increase compared to the 2024 budget.

The budget will be focused on enhancing offensive capabilities, including significant investments in autonomous systems (13.4 billion USD), the construction of warships, and the modernization of the nuclear triad (submarines, silos, bombers). Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also ordered cuts of approximately 30-50 billion USD from programs deemed wasteful to be directly redirected to combat readiness and border security programs.

The name change to the Department of War signifies the United States' transition to a highly aggressive and transactional foreign policy under the second term of Donald Trump. This change is not merely symbolic; it reflects the readiness of the U.S. to carry out direct military interventions to secure strategic resources and eliminate the influence of adversaries in the Western hemisphere.

Overall, the United States will be more aggressive in pursuing its national interests without being overly bound by diplomatic conventions and international law. Based on the government's rhetoric and military movements in early January 2026, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, and even Greenland are potential targets for attack by the United States if Trump's ambitions arise to meet the strategic security needs of the United States, even if it worsens relations with NATO colleagues in Europe.

After all, that's the US of today, ready to fight and seek out opponents anywhere, armed with President Donald Trump's "madness" to fulfill his promise to make America great again. (KOMPAS LITBANG)