The process, initially presented as a police special operation, resulted in a large-scale attack carried out at 01:00 a.m. on Venezuela’s capital with the participation of 150 aircraft. In this operation, which involved 15,000 U.S. troops, F-35, F-22, and B-1 bomber aircraft took part alongside AWACS and refueling aircraft, while armed UAVs also supported the assault.
Technical Details of the Operation and Air Power
Helicopters carrying commandos, together with attack helicopters, reached the presidential palace by flying at an altitude of approximately 10 meters in order to evade radar detection.
While the completely surprise attack was successful, clashes between the president’s guards and U.S. special forces continued for a long time. Although President Maduro and his wife managed to reach a safe shelter, “they cannot close the door” … I am sharing with you what U.S. President Donald Trump described at the press conference: Under the effective protection of the air force, the helicopters returned using the same airspace they had arrived through and reached the operation command center, the USS Iwo Jima LPH amphibious assault ship, together with the valuable captive.
Those who remember the old days will recall that this operation resembles the 1989 Panama operation. The difference is that the current U.S. administration has openly declared that it will govern Venezuela. President Trump announced that his target is oil and mineral resources, and that all costs and investments will be covered by these major opportunities. The possibility of Colombia and Cuba being the next targets has increased, and pressure on these countries has intensified.
In Venezuela, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Defense, and the Chief of the General Staff have taken control of the state. While the situation of the vice president is not clear, it is also noticeable that the U.S. does not have a clear strategy regarding with whom and how it will govern the country.
Violation of International Law and the UN Charter
No matter what, international rights and law have been violated. The U.S. has disregarded Article 2 of the United Nations Charter, of which it is a founding member. Paragraph 4 in particular is extremely clear; I share it with you below:
UN Charter – Article 2
The Organization and its Members, in pursuit of the Purposes stated in Article 1, shall act in accordance with the following Principles:
- The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.
- All Members, in order to ensure to all of them the rights and benefits resulting from membership, shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed by them in accordance with the present Charter.
- All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.
- All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
In my editorial published last month in C4Defence Magazine, I shared with you the situation of Venezuela. We will continue to watch together the final point that has been reached.
Source: C4Defence
