The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has reacted to the recent US military operation in Venezuela, questioning whether it signals the start of another international crisis similar to those in Libya or Iraq.
In a post on his X account on January 3, 2026, following the news that US forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Sam George cited academic research he made years ago, noting that the event is a test of international law.
“Today’s events in Caracas remind me of my dissertation topic at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, focusing on issues of international law.
“The question of territorial sovereignty, the triggers for the responsibility to protect, and the issues related to interventions by ‘superpowers’ have flooded my mind,” George wrote.
He then asked, “Do we see another Libya or Iraq situation evolve in Latin America? How do we dissect the dawn operation from Russia’s attempts in Ukraine or Israel’s actions in Palestine?”
He concluded by calling this happening as “Exciting times in global affairs and International law.”
What is happening in Venezuela and why has Trump arrested its president?
What happened?
In the early hours of January 3, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced that a large-scale military operation had resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Elite US forces reportedly extracted the couple from their bedroom in Caracas during a raid accompanied by strikes on military targets in the capital.
President Trump stated that Maduro is aboard the USS Iwo Jima and en route to New York, where he will face federal charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking conspiracy.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the indictments, promising the couple would “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil”.
President Trump further announced that the US would now “run” Venezuela to oversee a transition of power, a process for which he provided no timeline.
He also stated his intent to authorize US oil companies to take over and rehabilitate Venezuela’s energy infrastructure.
The US action has been met with widespread international condemnation.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected the “aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela” and sought an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the strikes as crossing an “unacceptable line” and evoking the worst moments of foreign interference in the region.
Russia demanded immediate clarity on Maduro’s status, calling the act a “deeply concerning” armed aggression with “untenable” pretexts. China condemned the “blatant use of force” as a violation of international law.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while stating his country was not involved, stated that “we should all uphold international law”.
The operation is the most significant U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
See Samuel Nartey George‘s post below:
Today’s events in Caracas remind me of my dissertation topic at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre, focusing on issues of International Law.
The question of territorial sovereignty, the triggers for the responsibility to protect, and the issues related… pic.twitter.com/BTaZW59ttg
— Sam ‘Dzata’ George 🦁🇬🇭 (@samgeorgegh) January 3, 2026
ID/AE

