The US Knows What to Do Next: Did Zelenskyy Hint at Action Against Putin After Maduro Arrest?

In a carefully worded yet politically charged remark, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to suggest that the United States now has a clear roadmap for dealing with authoritarian leaders worldwide, following the dramatic apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces.

Zelenskyy’s Statement Sends a Subtle but Powerful Message

Without explicitly naming Russia or President Vladimir putin, Zelenskyy implied that Washington’s decisive action against Maduro demonstrated how dictators could be confronted. The timing and context of his remarks—delivered amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine—left little doubt about whom he may have been alluding to.

Speaking during a meeting with European national security officials, Zelenskyy was asked to respond to former US President Donald Trump’s military move against Venezuela. His response was measured but pointed.

“How should I react to this?” Zelenskyy asked with a wry smile. “What can I say? The United States of America knows what to do if it is possible to deal with dictators in this way.”

Maduro’s Arrest: A Turning Point in US–Venezuela Relations

Zelenskyy’s comments came just a day after US forces carried out a swift and high-impact operation in Caracas, resulting in the arrest of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. According to official accounts, the two were detained at their residence located within a Venezuelan military installation.

The operation unfolded in the early hours of January 3, with US aircraft reportedly flying low over the capital. Within less than half an hour, multiple explosions were heard, forcing residents onto the streets in panic.

Following their apprehension, Maduro and Flores were transported to a US naval vessel before being flown to the United States, where they are expected to face prosecution.

Trump Announces Temporary US Control Over Venezuela

Later, Donald Trump announced that the United States would assume temporary control of Venezuela, citing the country’s vast oil reserves as a strategic asset to be utilized for global supply. He confirmed that criminal proceedings against Maduro and Flores would be initiated in New York.

Maduro’s legal troubles are not new. In 2020, he and several senior Venezuelan officials were charged with conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism. On Saturday, the US Department of Justice unveiled a fresh indictment, describing Maduro’s administration as a “corrupt and illegitimate government” allegedly sustained by an international cocaine trafficking network that flooded the United States.

Global Reaction: Russia Condemns US Action

The Venezuelan government condemned the strikes as an “imperialist attack” targeting both military and civilian infrastructure. Several countries echoed Caracas’ criticism, with Russia emerging as one of the strongest voices opposing the US action.

In an official response, the Russian Foreign Ministry called on Washington to “reconsider its position and release the legitimately elected President of a sovereign country and his spouse.”

“We emphasize the need to create conditions for resolving any existing issues between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue,” the ministry stated in a message shared on Telegram.

Implications for the Russia–Ukraine War

For seasoned geopolitical observers, Zelenskyy’s remarks were more than a casual reaction. They reflected Ukraine’s broader frustration with the slow pace of international action against Moscow and signaled Kyiv’s hope that Washington might apply similar decisiveness elsewhere.

While Zelenskyy stopped short of directly calling for action against Putin, his words underscored a growing belief in Kyiv that the arrest of Maduro could set a powerful precedent in global politics—one that redefines how the world responds to authoritarian regimes.