In today’s episode of **What’s going on with BRICS**:
**US Invades**
**Venezuela?**
**Airstrikes Hit**
**Caracas Chaos**
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Coming to you today from [location to be filled by owner].
### What’s in the News
1. **What we know so far about the US airstrikes on Venezuela**
- Overnight January 3, 2026: At least seven explosions reported in Caracas and coastal Higuerote around 2 AM local time.
- Low-flying aircraft heard; smoke from La Carlota airport and military bases – power outages hit parts of the capital.
- Venezuela’s government accuses US of targeting civilian and military installations across multiple states; Maduro declares state of emergency.
2. **US military buildup leading up to the strikes**
- Recent weeks: US deployed USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group, destroyers, cruisers, F-35 jets, nuclear submarine, and 15,000 troops to Caribbean.
- FAA banned US flights over Venezuela citing “ongoing military activity.”
- 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers) special ops helicopters reportedly spotted – aimed at capturing Maduro or striking key sites.
3. **SCO’s potential response – collective security in play?**
- SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) could condemn as “aggression” at emergency meeting, invoking “indivisible security” principle.
- As forum for China/Russia-led Eurasia, might boost joint drills or intel sharing to deter further US moves.
- Hypothetical: Diplomatic isolation push at UN, economic sanctions on US interests via member states.
4. **China’s response options – via SCO or indirect**
- Direct via SCO: Lead calls for restraint, offer Venezuela mediation or aid; deploy observers to “protect sovereignty.”
- Indirect: Accelerate Belt and Road projects in Latin America; boost yuan trade with Venezuela to counter sanctions.
- Hypothetical: Cyber or economic pressure – e.g., dump US Treasuries or restrict rare earth exports.
5. **Russia’s response options – via SCO or indirect**
- Direct via SCO: Push for joint statement labeling it “imperialist invasion”; offer military tech/support to Venezuela.
- Indirect: Deploy S-300 missiles or advisors; escalate in Ukraine as quid pro quo.
- Hypothetical: Hybrid warfare – disinformation, proxy actions in Americas to tie US resources.
6. **How dangerous for the USA? High stakes ahead**
- Risks escalation: Venezuela’s Chinese VN-16 tanks and Russian S-300 systems could counter air ops, prolonging conflict.
- Global backlash: Alienates Latin America, boosts anti-US sentiment; economic blowback from BRICS trade shifts.
- Domestic: Midterm losses if quagmire develops; overstretch military amid multipolar threats.
7. **Link to US NSS and Monroe Doctrine revival**
- 2025 NSS’s “Trump Corollary” to Monroe Doctrine warns Russia/China to stay out of Western Hemisphere.
- But US involvement in Ukraine (Russia’s “backyard”) and Taiwan (China’s red line) seen as hypocrisy.
- Quid pro quo: Strikes could justify Russian/Chinese responses elsewhere – e.g., escalated support for proxies.
8. **Global reactions building – UN and beyond**
- Russia/China call it “threat to peace” at UN; heated debate expected.
- BRICS statement likely condemns as “unilateral aggression.”
- Allies like UK/Canada muted; Latin nations protest US overreach.
9. **Hypothetical escalation paths**
- Low: US limited strikes force Maduro concessions; SCO diplomatic pressure only.
- Medium: Venezuela guerrilla resistance; Russia/China provide arms via proxies.
- High: Regional conflict draws in Guyana/Colombia; cyber attacks or trade wars erupt.
- OK team, so what does all this mean? Well, it means the US Venezuela strikes – invoking Monroe Doctrine – risk massive blowback in a multipolar world, giving BRICS ammo to challenge Western hypocrisy and escalate indirectly. High danger for overstretch – stay tuned. 🌀
