{"id":8578,"date":"2026-01-04T14:38:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T08:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/?p=8578"},"modified":"2026-01-04T14:38:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T08:08:49","slug":"the-arrest-of-the-venezuelan-president-by-the-u-s-military-and-its-possible-implications-for-the-world-and-myanmar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moemaka.net\/eng\/2026\/01\/the-arrest-of-the-venezuelan-president-by-the-u-s-military-and-its-possible-implications-for-the-world-and-myanmar\/","title":{"rendered":"The arrest of the Venezuelan president by the U.S. military and its possible implications for the world and Myanmar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Myanmar Spring Chronicle \u2013 January 3 Scene*
January 4, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrest of the Venezuelan president by the U.S. military and its possible implications for the world and Myanmar<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the morning of January 3<\/em>, the third day of 2026, news outlets reported as breaking news that U.S. forces had arrested the president of Venezuela in the country\u2019s capital, Caracas, and were transporting him to New York City in the United States<\/em>. Reports also said that prior to the arrest of President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro<\/em>, the U.S. military carried out sudden airstrikes over Caracas<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venezuela, which possesses the world\u2019s largest proven oil reserves<\/em>, has for some time been accused by former President Donald Trump<\/em> of exporting narcotics to the United States. In recent months, the U.S. military has reportedly sunk multiple vessels<\/em> in the Caribbean Sea that it claimed were smuggling drugs. Just days ago, the U.S. Navy also intercepted and detained two Venezuelan oil tankers<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At present, it is still unclear whether the United States intends to go beyond arresting the president and invade Venezuela, station troops, and intervene directly in forming a new government<\/em>. However, the act of intervening in the politics of a Latin American country located in northeastern South America\u2014across the Caribbean Sea from the U.S.\u2014and violating international norms of state sovereignty<\/em> by arresting a sitting president under accusations of drug trafficking is likely to shock countries across South America and the Caribbean<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is widely understood that President Trump\u2019s foreign policy places less emphasis on ideology\u2014such as authoritarianism versus democracy\u2014and more emphasis on natural resources, investment opportunities, and economic profit<\/em>. From this perspective, the arrest of the Venezuelan president appears unrelated to whether he is an authoritarian leader<\/em>, and instead clearly points toward securing access for major U.S. corporations to Venezuela\u2019s vast oil resources<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even close U.S. allies such as Canada and Denmark<\/em> have previously been subjected to blunt statements about annexation or leasing territory (such as Greenland<\/em>) for U.S. corporate interests. Viewed in that context, it is evident that the underlying motive behind removing a non-allied, authoritarian leader like Venezuela\u2019s president is resource-based economic interest<\/em>, not democratic principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incident also undermines assumptions<\/em> that under Trump the United States would not launch military actions against other countries. At a time when global instability is already widespread\u2014and when many countries are increasing military spending, arms procurement, and troop recruitment<\/em>*\u2014this development risks acting as *fuel on an already raging fire<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the world moves toward a multipolar balance\u2014no longer dominated by just one or two military and economic superpowers\u2014this incident may also encourage the belief that power alone determines outcomes<\/em>, weakening the authority of international institutions like the United Nations<\/em> and the agreements they uphold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This comes as the world is still grappling with Russia\u2019s 2022 invasion of Ukraine<\/em>, heightened fears that China may attempt military reunification with Taiwan<\/em>, Japan\u2019s decisions to significantly increase defense spending<\/em>, and ongoing instability in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel, and Gaza<\/em>. Against this backdrop, the arrest of Venezuela\u2019s president may further push countries toward tighter military and political blocs<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Myanmar\u2019s coup leader Min Aung Hlaing<\/em>, the U.S. arrest of a sitting foreign president will almost certainly be seen as a deeply concerning precedent<\/em>. While it would be an overreach to conclude that the U.S. will intervene directly in Myanmar, the message that global powers can remove another country\u2019s leader if they choose<\/em> is enough to unsettle authoritarian rulers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, this may also push Myanmar\u2019s military to rely even more heavily on major powers such as Russia and China<\/em>, both diplomatically and militarily. One possible outcome is that Myanmar\u2019s junta may draw closer to China<\/em>, including increasing arms purchases from Beijing to sustain its civil war efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the fact that Myanmar is not strategically vital to the United States<\/strong>\u2014lacking oil resources and with its rare-earth-rich Kachin State bordering China\u2014may provide the junta with some reassurance, as the likelihood of U.S. intervention at the level seen in Venezuela appears low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the junta cannot afford to ignore one key issue: the cyber-scam criminal networks operating along the Thailand\u2013Myanmar border<\/em>. This problem could provide the United States with a justification to become more directly involved in Myanmar-related matters<\/em>. By intensifying crackdowns on scam networks and reducing claims that U.S. interests are being harmed, the junta may attempt to weaken any rationale for external intervention<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, while Myanmar may not face immediate action akin to Venezuela\u2019s situation, the evolving global landscape\u2014and the precedents being set\u2014remain a source of both concern and strategic calculation<\/em> for the country\u2019s military rulers.<\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Myanmar Spring Chronicle \u2013 January 3 Scene*January 4, 2026 The arrest of the Venezuelan president by the U.S. military and its possible implications for the world and Myanmar On the morning of January 3, the third day of 2026, news…<\/p>\n

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