MADURO ABDUCTION: JUSTIFIED INTERVENTION OR INT’L VIOLATION OF SOVEREIGNTY?
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY JAN. 5, 2026) — Legitimate pursuit of U.S. interests or a gross violation of international law? President Donald Trump’s kidnapping of Venezuela’s president and drug king, Nicolas Maduro, has become a litmus test on political ideology, with praise and criticism falling pretty much along MAGA-Antifa fault lines.
THE PLANET brings your attention to the story of two friends arguing over an interpretation of a passage of scripture from the Talmud. A neutral friend observes. Each makes their case then turns to the third guy and asks “Who’s right?” He thinks, tells them he’s not sure, and then suggests they ask the rabbi. Off they go. The rabbi reads the scripture, then listens to the first guy. “You know, he’s right, but I want to hear the other side.” The second man gives his interpretation and looks to the rabbi, who says, “You are correct in your interpretation.” The observer scratches his head: “Rabbi, but they can’t BOTH be right.” The rabbi think for a long moment then pronounces, “You are right, also!”
Listening to the arguments on both sides of the Maduro case, both make defendable points. Liberals denounce Trump’s violation of another nation’s sovereignty. Conservatives point to his drug running, his ruination of Venezuela’s economy, the rigged elections that have kept him in power. Like the rabbi, THE PLANET can pronounce both arguments “right.” Unlike the rabbi, however, we defend the intervention. Trump acted where other presidents have trembled. The Venezuelan drug connection is severed, and why should the United States take action against hostile powers in its own hemisphere?
In any case, here’s a wire story from CBS News that has other details.
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María Corina Machado released a letter addressing the Venezuelan people after leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured in a U.S. operation overnight Saturday.
Machado, an opposition leader who has mostly been in hiding over the last year, said Maduro will “face international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations.”
“The time for freedom has come!” Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, wrote in the letter posted on X.
It was not clear on Saturday if Machado, who escaped to Norway in a secret mission last month, was in Venezuela. She told CBS News in mid-December that she was “absolutely” supportive of President Trump’s increasing military pressure on the Maduro regime and said she would welcome “more and more pressure so that Maduro understands that he has to go.”
MADURO IN CAPTIVITY: Thumbs Up.
Read the full text of her letter, translated by CBS News, below.
María Corina Machado’s letter to Venezuelans
Venezuelans, The time for freedom has come!
Nicolás Maduro from today will face international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations. Given his refusal to accept a negotiated solution, the United States government has fulfilled its promise to enforce the law.
The time has come for popular sovereignty and national sovereignty to prevail in our country. We are going to restore order, release the political prisoners, build an exceptional country, and bring our children back home.
We have fought for years, we have given it our all, and it has been worth it. What was meant to happen is happening.
This is the hour of the citizens. Those of us who risked everything for democracy on June 28th. Those of us who elected Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the legitimate President of Venezuela, who must immediately assume his constitutional mandate and be recognized as Commander-in-Chief of the National Armed Forces by all the officers and soldiers who comprise it.
Today we are ready to assert our mandate and take power. Let us remain vigilant, active, and organized until the democratic transition is complete. A transition that needs ALL of us.
To the Venezuelans who are currently in our country, be ready to put into action what we will be communicating to you very soon through our official channels.
To Venezuelans abroad, we need you to be mobilized, engaging the governments and citizens of the world and committing them from now on to the great operation of building the new Venezuela.
In these crucial hours, receive all my strength, my confidence, and my affection. We remain vigilant and in contact.
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As always, THE PLANET invites your thoughts.
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“And it’s hard to hate someone once you understand them” ― Lucy Christopher, Stolen
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
Kidnapping? It was an arrest. When the police take you from your home with a warrant, we call that an arrest.
The US can and frequently does apprehend those accused of breaking US law in foreign countries. Use of military and Federal Law bodies are legitimate tools. Both were present in Caracas.
Maduro is in jail, and he will have his day in court tomorrow. He may try to plead sovereignty, but that would have to take precedence over the charges he faces.
Here we go again..how many years this time..what will the final count be then?
There was no word on whether troops wounded in President Donald Trump’s military action had been admitted to BAMC, a Level 1 trauma center. Neither the Defense Department nor BAMC shared information about the medical evacuation flight nor the number of American troops who were injured. BAMC said all media queries were being referred to the Pentagon.
However, the New York Times reported that about half a dozen soldiers were injured Jan. 2 in Operation Absolute Resolve, with Trump saying in a press conference that no one was killed and no equipment lost. He did not address the issue of wounded troops, but OSINTDefender, the flight tracker that followed the C-17 flight from Puerto Rico to San Antonio, cited CNN in reporting a “handful of American troops sustained bullet and shrapnel wounds during last night’s operation in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, but none are life-threatening.”
You have to crack a few eggs to make a omelette. Justice was served.
You make no sense. Cops and soldiers are always at risk of injury and death. That is why we thank them for their service: it’s more than what we can do.
The whole question is ridiculous anyway. The fool thought he could get away with his numerous crimes against the USA and not get a response, even after the Biden Administration put a $50 million bounty on his head.
He saw the US armada gather on his shores, warnings from the President, and he just thought he could coast on through and carry on?
It is one thing if they are put at risk for a good reason such as national security. Taking over another country to steal its riches for the American oligarchs is not a good reason for most parents to bury their dead children. It is not why most American sons and daughters signed up to serve their country.
And so what are your feelings on his threats to take over Greenland and Mexico and Columbia? Iran may also be on his schedule for this or next week. All this shit makes you happy?
Yes. Greenland may well want to join the US – let them. They’ll join us before the Soviets and Chinese get their hands on their wealth.
Venezuela’s government has US blood on their hands, and are now free to defend themselves in our Court.
Columbia: we talk massive exportation of cocaine into our country in utter disregard for our laws and border. That would merit a military response.
Iran: they still owe us for ’79, and no one is suggesting we invade. Even though, they are involved in the Red Cocaine warfare against us conducted via South American gangsters.
As for your statement regarding the purpose of service, this year is the first time in my lifetime that the US military has been called to defend the USA, not act as a mercenary force for unfriendly nations.
I don’t remember you crying this much during the Afghanistan withdrawal debacle overseen by the Autopen and Harris administration.
In fact, you posting as Meanwhile back then, posted that it was President Trump’s fault and then listed foolish DNC talking points as the reason.
The blood of 13 dead US soldiers is on the hands of Autopen and Harris.
Remind us again how many US service members died this past weekend?
TDS is truly a debilitating mental disorder.
According to Meanwhile and TSC, TDS is more debilitating than their chronic masturbation disorder.
It doesn’t leave them with much time on their hands.
Getting Answers on the Afghanistan Withdrawal | Republican Foreign Affairs Committee
Good points there, MA. There’s no counting the pain and loss of the soldiers to Iran’s mercenaries, thugs, and the incompetence of 20 years of Bush-Obama-Biden. One IED at a time.
This was a message to all governments who have wealth will now be extorted by dictator Don John Trump.He grabbed the oil and that’s that.Our great military will now break all laws for Trump.Where is the house and senate?
Predictable response.
and accurate
Yes, I could have predicted precisely and accurately his response.
As opposed to Autopen and Harris’ message of “Welcome to all illegal aliens to the USA!! Where we give you free money and benefits compliments of the US taxpayer, in exchange for your illegal vote and our fraudul…..I mean, financial benefit.”
January 04, 2026
On Monday, January 05th, 2026, at 10:00 am, Pittsfield politics will swear in the new City Council and School Committee, and Mayor Peter Marchetti will give his annual State of the City speech.
* My thoughts: It will be tough year financially for Pittsfield’s municipal government and public school district government given the BIG cuts in state administered, federal aid funding.
Two days later on 01/07, the Massachusetts State Legislature will meet in Boston for the first time in 6-weeks after their current 6-week taxpayer-funded vacation ends on 01/07/2026.
* My thoughts: We are better off when the corrupt career politicians in Boston are on their lengthy vacations because they are not actively doing their DISSERVICES to the common people and taxpayers who have NO real voice in their inequitable state government.
The U.S. Congress will have to work together this month to avoid another U.S. Government (partial) shutdown that would begin on January 31st, 2026.
* My thoughts: The 2026 mid-term elections will be the biggest thing that the U.S. Congress focuses on this year so that means that there won’t be a second (partial) shutdown at the end of this month.
The Venezuela Conflict and arrest of Nicolas Maduro will see the U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday, 01/05, to discuss the Venezuela Conflict. Russia and China, both major backers of Venezuela, have criticized the U.S.
* My thoughts: The U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003. The U.S. invaded Venezuela in 2025. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. China wants to invade Taiwan in the near future. Nobody will be able to stop the U.S., Russia, and/or China from invading other countries. We need to use diplomacy again.
Jon Melle
Monday, January 05, 2026
Please listen to the online radio news story of the 2-Pete’s Pittsfield politics ceremonial day with the newly elected President of the City Council Earl Persip with “Veep Voltron” as his 2nd in command – the old switcheroo.
https://www.wamc.org/news/2026-01-05/marchetti-delivers-state-of-the-city-address-at-pittsfields-swearing-in-ceremony-for-coming-municipal-government-term
Please note that the sitting Mayor, the newly elected President of the City Council, and the now Vice President of the City Council ALL refuse to speak with blogger Dan Valenti about Pittsfield politics.
Also of note, Mayor Peter Marchetti was elected in a 5 to 2 vote to chair the School Committee, the first mayor to sit as chair in nearly 30 years.
Please note that School Committee member and newly elected clerk Ciara Batory came to the inauguration with a petition regarding the release of the PHS investigation report, and was told to present it for the committee’s Jan. 14 agenda.
related link: https://www.iberkshires.com/story/81296/Pittsfield-Swears-in-City-Council-School-Committee.html
News Story:
“Mayor Marchetti’s State of the City touts gains in economy, housing: ‘We can move this city forward'”
By Maryjane Williams, The Berkshire Eagle, January 5, 2026
PITTSFIELD — Against a backdrop of new businesses, housing developments and infrastructure projects, Mayor Peter Marchetti called on Pittsfield to build on last year’s progress during Monday’s State of the City address at City Hall.
“We have made much progress in 2025, especially with issues surrounding economic development and housing, and I’m committed to continuing this momentum into 2026,” Mayor Peter Marchetti said following the Pittsfield City Council, City Clerk and School Committee inauguration. “I am confident that working together, we can move this city forward.”
In the packed City Council chambers, Marchetti laid out a vision of continuity and collective progress as the new Pittsfield City Council and School Committee members were sworn in for two-year terms.
The mayor celebrated Pittsfield’s accomplishments in 2025, including economic growth, 14 new businesses and major infrastructure improvements that smoothed out tens of miles of the city’s roads. He outlined continued investments in affordable and supportive housing, along with the expansion of programs to assist vulnerable residents and promote community inclusion like the Pearl Ambassador Program.
Marchetti also referenced a recent visit to Northampton that could influence Pittsfield’s homelessness policies, following a year marked by debate over how to address homelessness while maintaining safety and sanitation downtown.
Urging the community to work together to build an even stronger Pittsfield in 2026, Marchetti emphasized that successful partnerships with residents, local, state, and federal leaders are critical to the city’s progress.
Caption: Marchetti 2026 – Mayor Peter Marchetti delivers his 2026 State of the City address Monday at Pittsfield City Hall, urging the community to build on last year’s progress amid new business, housing and infrastructure development.
Thanks, JON. THE PLANET shall have our report in inauguration day Wednesday. It will be a tad different than this tip-toed puff piece. In short, we, unlike The Boring Broadsheet, shall present the TROOTH.
Check out the school committee action . Girl came through and Marchettis named himself chair so it is on him if the investigation is released or forever hidden.
The brew pubs are failing.Not one job came to the biotechnology building.
It’s not just about the drugs and the oil although those are very legitimate reasons for the arrests. As Trump mentioned in his speech, Maduro was filling his country with far left people who pose a threat to America. We can’t have a neighbor this close who wants to take down America. Biden’s open borders have created enough problems. Our FBI has stopped several terrorist attacks in just the last few weeks. We only need to miss one. Maduro’s associations have created a national security issue for America. Maduro is not a legitimate president. We need Venezuela to be an ally not a security threat. Maria Corina Machado was just given the Nobel Peace prize and she is celebrating the arrest of Maduro. Liberals chose Machado over Trump for the prize and should be on the same side as her when it comes to celebrating the arrest of Maduro.
So sounds like you are for trump sending in the ground troops pat. What would you say is an acceptable number of dead and maimed this time? And do you personally have any draft age children or grandchildren once they restart the draft or would you rather other people’s kids do it instead?
Young men are joining the military like never before because they love their country and want to defend it. Nobody is forcing them to go. Ground troops have already been in Venezuela and it was a success. Unlike the previous administration, the Trump administration protects its soldiers.
You sound like a truly dedicated American Pat. Perhaps trump can find a position for you regardless of your age so that you can show your patriotism. Just do it and please get back to us and tell us how much satisfaction you derive from serving your country. (be sure to buy as many shares of Venezuelan oil as you can afford cuz the sky is the limit. maga
Mean
Root for the enemy much? Your TDS ,is causing delusions.
Fast devastating strikes, with very little danger- for America’s finest- demoralize the opposition- munitions are cheap- we got plenty locked and loaded.
Iranian-made Mohajer-6 UAV long
Drones were the major concern – WERE…
How’s that Chinese and Russian air defense system working out?
Venezuela is not a fanatical regime, it’s a criminal enterprise – supported by America’s enemies.
Who threatened Maduro,
His cohorts are not looking forward to 75-10 year olds….
They are driven by greed- money is useless in prison of cemetery.
Seen Noriega lately ?.
By the time Maduro , eats his fecal sandwich in protective custody – he will be begging to turn government witness.
ICUMI
Inmates make the food- his brown bag meals- will help his diet.
Obviously his wife was the brains of the enterprise – typical attorney general turned corruptocrat.
She is angling to get hospitalized, were she will be treated humanely.
Hope a does of reality, helps with that TDS.
You’ve got it bad.
1/5/26@21:04
Tom Betit
Yes, they got it very bad. It’s a progressive disorder which only gets worse and harder to treat the longer it goes unmanaged.
I remember it was not long ago when no one was taken seriously who declared themselves a Democratic Socialist – the revived Communist Party of America which is founded and run by the Soviets.
Can’t you folks see why our former friends now consider us untrustworthy? Canada, Denmark (Greenland) and Panama are shaking in their boots. So much for the genius and efficacy of Orange Jesus. His stated goal was to get us out and keep us out of war. Now we’ve got a megalomaniac in charge with no guard rails.
President Trump is preventing wars. We can’t have countries near us plotting terrorist attacks. That would start a war. It’s too close for comfort. The bad people have to be flushed out of Venezuela to prevent future conflicts. This is all about prevention. Many on the far left do want conflict and Maduro was allowing them to take over his country. New York Mayor Mamdami’s acceptance speech was all about the “warmth of collectivism” because this is how the far left is brainwashing the youth of our country to embrace not just socialism, but communism. This is a dangerous road we are taking because look what socialism and communism have done to a once successful Venezuela. They have destroyed that country and it all started with convincing the people that socialism/communism is all warm and fuzzy. They never mentioned how those in power in socialist/communist countries will lord it over the people and keep them in poverty which is what happened in Venezuela and why so many fled from Venezuela to come here.
If other countries would just give trump all their oil maybe he would not have to take them over. duh? They can make it easy on themselves, or we will storm our way in and take it and we really do care how many die in the process do we pat?
The schools aren’t teaching people how to think. It’s intentional of course. I hope that no terrorist attacks happen in this country due to Biden and Kamala’s incompetence of allowing open borders because Democrats have shown zero concern about how many people would die from allowing so many dangerous people to enter the country. The FBI has stopped two attacks in just the last few weeks, but Democrats are unconcerned about the results of their disastrous policies. You do know that Maduro should have been arrested years ago because he is a wanted man here in the United States? Our country doesn’t need oil. Democrats used to hate dictators. Remember the No Kings rallies? Now Democrats bend over backwards to defend a dictator because he is a leftist radical dictator. Their hypocrisy is showing.
You cannot be that ignorant.
just jokingly echoing the trump doctrine big fella
Meanwhile is The Planet’s version of a white male, Whoopi Goldberg, if that helps explain his TDS.
“No Kings,” but “Free Dictators.”
Eating your pets and zoo animals is ok, because what Meanwhile, it’s not Trump.
Thieves stealing Venezuela zoo animals to eat them, say police | Venezuela | The Guardian
Venezuela food shortages cause some to hunt dogs, cats, pigeons
Pat
Yup
I’m all for training, educating,arming and repatriating them home.
France did it for us, if JFK had supported the patriotic Cubans completely and effectively-our hemisphere,would be safe and prosperous .
JFK had he lived- would have learned from his ,
Hesitation.
1/5/26@21:10
Maybe we want them to stay. I think I like them more than many native borns, at least those who speak here.
I like to call him…The… ORANGE CRUSH !
No Kings!!!!! Only Dictators!!!!! Dumb ass Libs.
Friends? Every ‘friend’ has an ‘end.’
When has either Canada or Denmark been a friend to the USA?
Both of them supported us in the War on Terror, and Denmark provided military assistance during the Invasion of Iraq too.
and now trump is shitting down their throats
?
Oh, that’s really something. Wow.
Some help they are.
Yes, they both supported the War on Terror and they both assisted in Iraq…
Sorry for double post…
They shall like us more when we like them less.
Don’t get on high your own supply.
The U.S. military is back……
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2026-01-05/some-clear-thinking-about-weekends-strike-venezuela
Didja know that both China and Russia have tens of billions of dollars invested in the Venezuelan oil industry and that China buys 80 percent of Venezuela’s oil?
I wunner what they might be thinking right now. Sure hope they are going to turn tail and run away huh?
Probably they will.
Brush up on the Monroe Doctrine.
Why are you so anti-American?
And who cares what China and Russia think.
They certainly didn’t care what we thought when they help facilitate the illegal alien invasion into the US and helping Autopen/Harris steal the US Presidential election in 2020.
81,000,000 votes my a$$
Venezuela as previously stated, is a narco-terrorist criminal enterprise.
Which was in possession of Iranian-made Mohajer-6 UAV long range drones( capable of attacking the United States.
Maduros Russian trained and equipped Cuban mercenaries, were no match for America’s best.
FAFO – Maduro taunted us to come get him, careful what you wish for…
From his treatment by guards- he appears to be a cooperating defendant.
Odds are he will be turning on smartmatic voting machine, election fraudsters. The hits for Demonrats , will be coming hard, fast and deep, from now until the midterms…
Moran Healey about to be indicted,
Just in time for forth of July, along with Maines governor..
The problems, about to be created by defunding snap,Medicaid and judiciary/ criminal justice – will cripple blue economies. Will cause panic,and stressed decisions – exposing more corruption.
Odds Trump waits to indict klobuchar , until after she announces , gubernatorial run?
Politics is a fast and dangerous game…try and keep up
Midterms are going to be a Red tsunami.
1/5/26@20:45
Tom Betit
After arrest of Maduro, now Iran’s Ayatollah on the run…..
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/01/trump-effect-one-day-maduro-capture-reports-say/