Why the U.S. Can Arrest Venezuela’s Leader but Cannot Touch North Korea’s Ruler

Many people ask a blunt and logical question: if the United States can capture or remove Venezuela’s leader and put him in a New York jail, why can’t it do the same to North Korea’s ruler?

On the surface, it looks like double standards. But in reality, the two situations are not comparable at all.

The reason is not morality, sympathy, or favoritism. It is about power limits, risk calculation, and global consequences.

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1. The U.S. Did Not “Grab” Venezuela’s Leader From His Palace

First, an important correction.

The United States did not send soldiers into Venezuela, kidnap the sitting president from his palace, and fly him to New York.

Instead, U.S. cases against Venezuelan leaders rely on:

• International arrest warrants
• Financial crimes and drug trafficking charges
• Cooperation from other countries
• Arrests during travel or defection

These arrests only succeed when the individual:

• Leaves national protection
• Is betrayed internally
• Is captured by a third country

The U.S. does not have physical control over Venezuela itself.

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2. North Korea Is Completely Sealed — Physically and Militarily

North Korea’s ruler does not travel freely.

He does not:

• Use international banks
• Visit Western countries
• Expose himself to foreign jurisdictions

He is protected by:

• An elite military guard
• A closed intelligence system
• Total control of borders

There is no legal or physical opening for arrest.

To reach him, the U.S. would have to invade the country.

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3. Capturing North Korea’s Leader Would Mean Full-Scale War

Trying to “pick up” North Korea’s ruler would immediately trigger:

• Mass artillery attacks on South Korea
• Missile launches toward Japan
• Possible nuclear escalation

This would not be a police operation.

It would be a war involving millions of civilians within hours.

No Venezuelan operation carries this level of instant destruction.

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4. Nuclear Weapons Make Arrest Impossible

North Korea’s leadership survival strategy is built on nuclear deterrence.

The moment an external force attempts capture:

• Nuclear command protocols activate
• Military autonomy increases
• Launch decisions may no longer be reversible

Even the attempt to arrest Kim Jong-un risks catastrophic retaliation.

Venezuela has no such capability.

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5. China Would Intervene Immediately

Venezuela has no superpower willing to fight the U.S. directly for its leader.

North Korea does.

China would not allow:

• U.S. troops at its border
• Sudden regime collapse
• Millions of refugees flooding into China

Any operation against North Korea’s ruler would immediately pull China into the conflict.

This alone makes arrest impossible.

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6. International Law Does Not Work the Same Way

Venezuelan leaders are charged with crimes that involve international jurisdictions:

• Drug trafficking
• Money laundering
• Financial crimes

North Korea’s ruler operates entirely inside a sovereign state that:

• Rejects international courts
• Does not extradite
• Does not cooperate with U.S. law enforcement

Without jurisdiction, arrest is legally meaningless.

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7. Power Has Limits — Even for the United States

The belief that the U.S. can arrest any leader anywhere is a myth.

In reality, U.S. power depends on:

• Access
• Allies
• Legal reach
• Risk tolerance

North Korea exceeds every limit.

Venezuela does not.

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Final Reality Check

The U.S. cannot arrest North Korea’s ruler the way it can pressure or arrest Venezuelan leaders because doing so would:

• Start a major war
• Risk nuclear escalation
• Involve China and Russia
• Endanger tens of millions of civilians

This is not about who deserves punishment.

It is about what the world can survive.

Power is real — but it is never unlimited.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Did the U.S. directly kidnap Venezuela’s leader?

No. Arrests rely on travel, cooperation, or extradition.

Could the U.S. send special forces to capture Kim Jong-un?

Attempting that would almost certainly trigger war.

Why doesn’t the U.S. try anyway?

Because the cost would be catastrophic and uncontrollable.

Is North Korea immune from international law?

Practically yes, due to isolation and military deterrence.

Does this mean North Korea has more power than Venezuela?

Strategically and militarily, yes — despite being economically weaker.