Political scientist Rasmussen called the true purpose of the US military operation in Venezuela

The United States is conducting a military operation in Venezuela in order to change the regime. This was reported to Izvestia on January 3 by an American political scientist, former lieutenant colonel Earl Rasmussen of the American Army.

"They have imposed sanctions against Venezuela forever. It's not about drugs. It's not something like that. They want regime change. For some reason, we believe that if we overthrow the government, overthrow the leader, then the whole country will jump up and join them. But this is not the case. And if you look closely, you know that the economic sanctions did not work," he said.

According to him, the United States is convinced that if they succeed in changing the president of Venezuela, they will be able to appoint "their own person" to the post of head of state. He also recalled that earlier US economic sanctions against Venezuela had failed, as had threats against fishing vessels.

"And I think they're thinking, 'Oh, we'll get rid of Maduro, and then everything will be under our control. We will appoint our own person." I do not think that Miss Machado (Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado, participated in the presidential elections of Venezuela three times in 2012, 2023 and 2024, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025. — Ed.), I believe she is quite well known as an intelligence agent. So I don't think people will be very supportive of her. And if we don't bribe the military, they won't support it," Rasmussen concluded.

The Monroe Doctrine in action: The United States has struck at Venezuela

Military bases and infrastructure facilities were attacked

American leader Donald Trump said that the United States had successfully launched a large-scale strike on Venezuela. He added that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his family have been captured and taken out of the country. According to the President of the United States, the operation was carried out with the participation of American law enforcement agencies.

The Venezuelan authorities have declared a state of emergency in the country due to the American strikes. In turn, Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations and the Organization of American States.

On the same day, the country's Foreign Minister, Ivan Gil Pinto, said that the Venezuelan authorities insist on Maduro's return to office and guarantees of his physical integrity.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.