In a stunning dawn raid on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces launched Operation Absolute Resolve—a massive strike involving over 150 aircraft—disabling Venezuelan defenses and capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas.

President Trump hailed the "extraordinary" mission, framing Maduro as a narco-terrorism kingpin and announcing the U.S. will temporarily "run" Venezuela to stabilize it and "get the oil flowing" via American companies.

Maduro, now en route to New York for drug conspiracy charges, sparked fury from Venezuelan officials declaring emergency resistance, while global reactions split: condemnation from Russia, Iran, and many in Congress over sovereignty violations, versus cheers from Venezuelan opposition leaders dreaming of freedom.

This bold intervention echoes Panama 1989 and ignites fierce debate over justice, oil, and empire.

Link to article: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/

In a fiery clash of ideologies, prominent Catholic Bishop Robert Barron blasted New York City's new socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, for his inaugural pledge to "replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism."

Barron, founder of Word on Fire ministry, didn't hold back: "For God’s sake, spare me the ‘warmth of collectivism.’" He warned that collectivist regimes caused over 100 million deaths last century, slammed failures in places like Venezuela and Cuba, and noted Catholic teaching rejects socialism while supporting market economies rooted in human dignity.

The controversy erupted after Mamdani—NYC's first Muslim mayor, sworn in alongside Bernie Sanders and AOC—delivered his bold vision on New Year's Day. Conservatives piled on, with Ron DeSantis calling collectivism coercive and Ted Cruz warning it erodes individual rights.

A chilling rhetorical showdown that's got everyone talking. Which side of the aisle do you stand on?

Link to article: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bishop-robert-barron-slams-zohran-mamdani-warmth-collectivism-line-for-gods-sake