Maduro Capture: Was it Drugs, Oil, or Geopolitics? Unpacking US Motives

• US officially cited Maduro's "narco-state" involvement in international cocaine trafficking as the reason for his capture.
• The article argues deeper motives include Venezuela's vast oil reserves (world's largest) and US strategic interest in controlling them.
• Geopolitical factors, such as reasserting US influence and limiting rivals like Russia and China, also played a significant role.
• US sanctions had already crippled Venezuela's economy, creating conditions where the operation became feasible.
• While cocaine was cited, the US opioid crisis is primarily driven by fentanyl, not cocaine from Venezuela.

Why It Matters: Maduro's capture was driven by a complex mix of drug trafficking claims, Venezuela's oil, and US geopolitical strategy.