President Donald Trump’s crusade to topple Venezuela’s illegitimate President Nicolas Maduro, which culminated with his capture in a daring night raid by U.S. troops, started with a massive August 2025 naval buildup in the Caribbean. That escalated to airstrikes on suspected narcotics boats and the seizure of tankers transporting Venezuelan crude. After Maduro’s removal, Delcy Rodríguez, viewed as a regime moderate, replaced him as interim president. This unfolded after years of failed sanctions, broken promises and futile…