U.S. turmoil could affect other countries

Shellene Drakes-Tull says recent U.S. actions, including the reported detention of Nicolás Maduro and reported ICE operations, are raising international concern and prompting debate about possible regional effects.

Shellene Drakes-Tull, a Toronto-based storyteller and educator, writes about a series of reported U.S. actions and statements that she says have unsettled observers at home and abroad. The article highlights events from early January 2026 and traces them to broader questions about democratic norms and historical responsibility. It notes reported government moves involving Venezuela, immigration enforcement, and diplomatic tensions over Greenland and Iran. The author also connects these developments to ongoing public debates about accountability and historical reckoning. Key reported developments: - Reported U.S. detention of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3 and reported U.S. assertions of control over Venezuelan oil resources; the article notes a Truth Social post in which the U.S. president styled himself in an acting role and sought oil company support. - Reported immigration enforcement operations in 2025 involving ICE across several U.S. cities, with fatalities reported in ICE custody and shootings reported in early January. - Reported threats or rhetoric affecting Greenland and Canada, and a Jan. 12 statement from the Greenlandic government saying Greenland's defence should be conducted through NATO as part of the Danish Commonwealth. - Reported threats toward Iran's security forces on Jan. 2 amid protests in Iran, and a separate note that unredacted files relating to Jeffrey Epstein have not been released. Summary: The author argues these reported actions and rhetoric are drawing international attention and dominating news coverage, prompting debate about democratic erosion and historical responsibility. Undetermined at this time.