What the movies taught me: The American TV prophecy of the Trump administration swiftly arresting the Venezuelan president action

Have you ever had this feeling, that when a major international event happens, the first thing that comes to mind is not the news, but a scene that seems so familiar? Well-known YouTuber “Things Movies Taught Me” discovered a chilling coincidence: the American TV series Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan) nearly perfectly predicted the dramatic script of the United States swiftly arresting the Venezuelan President Maduro many years ago.

Jack Ryan’s Prediction of the US Rapidly Arresting Maduro Sparks International Shock

On January 3, 2026, the United States suddenly launched a covert operation in Venezuela codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve.” In less than 2.5 hours, U.S. forces assembled from 20 bases, deploying approximately 150 aircraft to precisely strike Venezuelan military facilities and security sites, directly arresting long-wanted Venezuelan President Maduro and his spouse. The operation was conducted with zero casualties and no heavy equipment used, showcasing remarkable efficiency and decisiveness, shocking the international community. However, the reason this event sparked intense discussion is not only due to its political and legal controversy but also because many viewers suddenly realized that it closely resembled the plot of the second season of the American TV series “Jack Ryan.”

Legendary Author Tom Clancy’s Fictional World Turns Out to Be Too Real, Prompting Official Investigation

The Jack Ryan series is adapted from the political thriller novels of Tom Clancy. The show has four seasons, each revolving around CIA analyst Jack Ryan’s national security missions in different regions. The second season’s setting is Venezuela, focusing on election manipulation, political assassinations, illegal arms trading, and great power struggles, vividly depicting U.S. special agents storming the presidential palace and attempting to arrest the Venezuelan leader.

When the season was released in 2019, some viewers criticized it as “overly far-fetched,” believing that the U.S. could never take such direct action against a sovereign nation’s leader. However, years later, real-world developments prompted a reassessment of the plot, with some even describing it as a “pre-written script.”

In fact, Tom Clancy’s works have long been known for their high degree of realism. He predicted methods and patterns of terrorist attacks in his novels with such accuracy that it once drew official concern. Jack Ryan’s character is not a traditional action hero but a decision-maker well-versed in intelligence analysis, geopolitics, and national interests. The scenarios depicted are not conspiracy theories but rational options that Western countries might adopt in extreme situations.

Diverging Interpretations of “Operation Absolute Resolve”

The official stance of the U.S. regarding “Operation Absolute Resolve” also reflects a “rational choice” logic. The Trump administration emphasized that this was a transnational law enforcement action rather than a war, aimed at combating drug cartels and terrorist networks, and did not follow traditional declarations of war or congressional authorization. Maduro was subsequently transferred to the U.S. federal court in New York, sparking fierce debates over international law and sovereignty boundaries.

International reactions are polarized. Russia, China, Iran, and several Latin American countries condemned the move as an “invasion,” with the UN Secretary-General warning that it sets a dangerous precedent. Conversely, some European countries adopted a wait-and-see approach, while Venezuela’s long-exiled opposition and citizens expressed gratitude, viewing it as an opportunity to end oppression.

Analysts point out that regardless of stance, the key factors behind the event are no longer limited to democracy or ideology but extend to energy, resources, and geopolitical security. Venezuela possesses the world’s largest oil reserves and is geographically close to the U.S. mainland. Under the U.S. strategy emphasizing “Western Hemisphere dominance,” it has always been regarded as a highly sensitive region.

This logic also appears at the core of Jack Ryan’s narrative. The series does not present a mysterious prophecy of the future but transforms intelligence think tanks, military simulations, and real policy options into dramatic scripts in advance. When the real world follows a similar path, the series naturally appears “prescient.”

From Fiction to Reality, From Imagination to Truth, Jack Ryan Reflects the Structural Changes in Contemporary International Order. When resources and security become top priorities, whether procedures and norms still hold constraints will continue to be a difficult issue that the world must face.

This article “Things Movies Taught Me: The American Series’ Divine Prediction of Trump’s Rapid Arrest of the Venezuelan President” was first published on Chain News ABMedia.