January 3rd, 2026, 3:00 PM KST — Venezuelan President Maduro has been captured and is being transported to the United States.

America basically said "FAFO"

I mean... fair point, but WHAT??? What just happened??? In 2026??

So here's some context: Venezuela used to be one of the most pro-US countries in the region. Back in the early 20th century, massive oil reserves were discovered there, and American oil majors basically sprinted over to cash in on that sweet, sweet oil money.

From what I've read, it was a classic deal: Venezuela supplies the oil, America provides dollars and security.

Dollars and security... With that kind of arrangement, Venezuela became one of the wealthiest nations in the world. But then hearts changed. Hugo Chávez came along with his anti-American, anti-capitalist vibes and started squeezing the US.

That's when America was basically like, "Venezuela, you're kinda... out? You wanna die?" LOL.

Nicolás Maduro, his successor, doubled down on the anti-US policies. The result? Hyperinflation. Economic collapse. From richest to poorest. There are stories about needing a truckload of Venezuelan bolivars just to buy toilet paper...

Living in a third country, I used to think, "Venezuela? Oh, something went wrong with their economy, I guess?" But thinking about it more carefully now, that attitude was kind of selfish of me.

My home country Korea went through something similar during the IMF crisis. But with help from other nations and self-driven growth, we're now doing... pretty okay, all things considered.

Watching this whole situation unfold, I'm reminded once again of America's sheer power. Capturing another country's president in no time, solving problems... it's an absurd level of strength. The Trump administration is honestly kind of terrifying.

I think this whole event is going to be one of those variables that affects everything — oil prices, inflation, US interest rates, global markets, capital flows. All of it.

Venezuela had all the ingredients for success: oil resources, strategic location, trade potential, economic opportunity. But actually making it work? That's a different story.

As I always say: everything is interconnected.

I've rarely seen cases where someone succeeds entirely on their own. Just because you think you're the best doesn't mean everything will magically work out. Real growth comes from building relationships with others — growing together through genuine connections.

Venezuela was doing well with some help from the US, but the moment they turned their back? They got the knife.

Conclusion

Don't act like you're the greatest thing ever. If you were able to become great, it's because someone helped you get there.

Whether that's America or whoever else — stay grateful, and pay it forward.