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Maduro Capture Sparks Sovereignty Debate in the Caribbean

VENEZUELA & UNITED STATES – Two days after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, attention is now shifting from the operation itself to the precedent it may set.

Published

2 days ago

January 5, 2026

Kendeno Knowles

VENEZUELA & UNITED STATES – Two days after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, attention is now shifting from the operation itself to the precedent it may set.

According to regional officials, CARICOM leaders held emergency discussions over the weekend, warning that the developments could have serious implications for regional stability.

For small Caribbean states, including The Bahamas, the questions are fundamental—particularly around sovereignty and what it means when a global superpower acts unilaterally, without regional consultation.

Historically, United States involvement in the Caribbean and Central America has taken many forms.

In 1983, the U.S. invaded Grenada following the execution of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, citing the protection of American citizens and regional security—a move later condemned by the United Nations as a violation of international law.

In 1989, the U.S. launched Operation Just Cause in Panama to depose and capture leader Manuel Noriega. Officials cited drug trafficking charges, the annulment of democratic elections, and the security of the Panama Canal. Noriega later surrendered and was transported to the United States to face trial.

In 1990, during a coup attempt in Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. officials provided negotiation and advisory support but stopped short of military intervention.

Then in 1994, during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, the U.S. prepared for military action before a last-minute diplomatic effort led to a peaceful transfer of power.

This time, however, the approach in Venezuela appears different.

According to a former Bahamian ambassador and consul general, the shift reflects a changing international climate—driven largely by a change in leadership in the world’s sole superpower.

She notes that while the principles of human rights, peace, and cooperation outlined in the United Nations Charter still exist, they are increasingly honored in words rather than action.

As questions continue to swirl over President Maduro’s legal status, international recognition, and next steps, the region is watching closely—not just for Venezuela’s future, but for what this moment signals about sovereignty and whether global rules still apply equally to small states.