By: Eleni King Martin

In early January 2026, the United States launched an invasion into Venezuela under the guise of stopping drug trafficking and “narco-terrorism.” The United States has captured the nation’s president, Nicolás Maduro, which sent Venezuela into a state of emergency. 

For some background information, Venezuela has had a recent history of political corruption and economic disparities. According to the Humanitarian Data Exchange, over 90% of the country’s residents are below the poverty line. The current Venezuelan president, President Maduro, has been shaped by his authoritarian leadership and human rights violations (i.e. suppression of dissent and the use of incommunicado detentions.) Although this is deeply troubling, the United States has not mentioned these issues and has instead placed a focus on drug trafficking. In response to this, Maduro has denied any involvement in drug cartels. The United States has launched several attacks on Venezuela throughout the latter part of 2025, each one claiming to prevent Venezuelan drug trafficking. In December, 2025, the United States seized an oil tanker and placed a blockade on all Venezuelan oil. 

On January 3, 2026, these events would reach a boiling point; the United would take President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, prisoner. President Trump, of the United States, ordered a ground invasion of Venezuela under the guise of “liberating” the country and bringing “economic freedom” to the troubled peoples of Venezuela. President Trump stated that the invasion of Venezuela would lead to a change in leadership. The United States claims that Venezuela had stolen US oil and sent direct threats to the United States. However, neither of these claims have been factually proven. President Trump has recently stated that Venezuela is under the control of the United States and he aims to “fix” the oil industry in Venezuela. 

The main issue in these events is that the United States took undue steps to invade Venezuela and did not have actual, legal reason for the invasion. There are also concerns of global security, as the invasion has brought light to US interests in Greenland as well.  

So, what have our students and staff been doing to politically participate in these troubling times? Social studies teacher Mr. Painton has encouraged his students to email their representatives in the national House of Congress. Lancaster County is located in the 11th congressional district, whose representative is Republican Lloyd Smucker. As a student in Mr. Painton’s 20th Century Topics class, this writer sent an email to Mr. Lloyd Smucker. His response was troubling; he stated that the actions of the United States were based upon, “clear intelligence and carefully reviewed information showing an imminent threat to the United States.” Keep in mind that the “threats” against the US have not been proven, and there is no lawful reason for the United States to invade Venezuela. Painton states that the invasion of Venezuela is, “another example of US neo-colonialism.”  

Mr. Painton is not the only teacher talking about the events in Venezuela. Junior Kennedie Miller says, “We’ve talked about the events in IB (International Baccalaureate) Global Politics, with Mr. Wilson, as it directly relates to our current learning targets, which are power development, rights, and peace.” Mr. Wilson is another social studies teacher at McCaskey. His IB Global Politics class focuses on current events and how politics shape these events. Kennedie says, “Trump is using this scandal as a way to tell people he is “developing” Venezuela to be a better place and have more rights for the people, when he’s clearly just doing this for the gain of the United States.”

The events happening in Venezuela are certainly troubling, and they are still ongoing. For those interested in participating, contact local Congressman Lloyd Smucker with your concerns, or talk to your social studies teacher or any of the ones talked about above. The students of McCaskey are the next generation and it’s integral they know and understand the events happening around us.

The following link is a link to Congressman Lloyd Smucker’s website, where those interested can contact him: https://smucker.house.gov/