On Jan. 3, Donald Trump had the U.S. military illegally capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, bringing the two to New York on charges of narcoterrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. In their absence, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken up Maduro’s office.

Prior to the operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, the White House did not inform congress about the attack. The military action in Venezuela is widely considered illegal, and violates Article 2(4) of the U.N charter.

“My first reaction was just disbelief, but at the same time I wasn’t too surprised,” Elif Ipecki, 20, computer science major, said. “I think Trump should be impeached immediately and the whole administration should face repercussions.”

The United States chapter of the United Nations Refugee Agency reported that “widespread violence and poverty” and “shortages of food, medicine and essential services” forcibly displaced 8 million Venezuelans globally, with almost 1 million living in the United States. Because of this, Trump terminated Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans in late 2025.

“Venezuelan people have had issues with the current administration. Basically, it is a dictatorship,” Robert Miller, 29, biology major, said. “So it was mixed feelings because you know you want to get this person out, who’s causing harm to others.”

BBC News reported that Maduro accused Trump of trying to depose him over control of Venezuela’s oil, as the country holds the world’s largest crude oil reserves.

“I was so shocked and astounded about the fact that Trump would go as far as kidnap the leader of a different country over something like drug trades and oil,” Jules Banucci, 19, graphic design major, said.

“He needs to be impeached at this point because of the amount of illegal things he has done.” Banucci said. “It’s literally just going to start another oil war and he needs to face serious consequences.”