On January 3, 2026, a daring U.S. military raid successfully seized and removed Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro. However, according to an opinion piece by John Bolton published on August 26, 2026, in The Hill, the Trump administration’s broader political strategy was flawed from the outset.
Bolton argues that although Maduro’s removal changed the regime’s public face, it did not dismantle the underlying power structure. The so-called Chavista gang remained in control, with Maduro’s former subordinates empowered by U.S. acquiescence, which has had detrimental effects.
This critique highlights a gap between the tactical success of the military operation and the strategic failure to achieve lasting political change in Venezuela.
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