Colombia has deployed 30,000 troops to its border with Venezuela following a dramatic U.S. operation that forcibly seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3. The escalation has sent shockwaves across Latin America, with Cucuta—a key border city—reporting increased migrant crossings as uncertainty grips the region.
Housewife Daikelis Rodriguez, a Venezuelan immigrant interviewed by CGTN, summed up local anxieties: "That [the United States] wants to control Venezuela, I think it's in bad taste." Many residents echo her concerns, unsure how this year’s sudden geopolitical shift will impact cross-border families and economies.
Analysts warn the militarization could further destabilize a region already navigating post-pandemic recovery and energy crises. With Maduro’s status unclear and Colombia’s security response ongoing, 2026 begins with high stakes for Latin American diplomacy. 🌐💥
