The capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in the early morning hours of January 3, 2026 produced dramatic headlines, but a key question is whether his removal significantly affects the dynamics that have underpinned Venezuela’s long‑running crises. The reality is that the fundamental challenges that shaped Venezuela’s trajectory before Maduro’s capture remain firmly in place, and none of the country’s core problems can or will be resolved by Maduro’s removal alone. [...]