U.S. Announces Capture of Venezuelan President Maduro in Military Operation
In a stunning escalation of tensions, the United States has announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following a military operation in Caracas.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that U.S. special forces conducted coordinated air, land, and sea strikes in the Venezuelan capital. President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown to the USS Iwo Jima before being transported to New York to face criminal charges.
Charges and U.S. Justification
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. The charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses. U.S. Attorney General statements framed the operation as holding the couple accountable as “alleged international narco traffickers.”
President Trump hailed the mission as “one of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might and competence in American history.” He stated the action was taken in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement and pledged continued U.S. oversight until a democratic transition occurs in Venezuela.
Domestic Reaction
The operation has sparked immediate and sharp division within the United States. Prominent conservative figures celebrated the move. Elon Musk congratulated President Trump, calling it “a win for the world and a clear message to evil dictators everywhere.” Some commentators resurfaced a 2020 tweet by then-candidate Joe Biden critical of Trump’s Venezuela policy, suggesting it “didn’t age well.”
Democrats have broadly condemned the operation. Leading party members called it an unauthorized use of military force and a dangerous violation of international norms.
International Condemnation
The action has drawn fierce international criticism, particularly from China. A Chinese government statement expressed being “deeply shocked by and strongly condemn[ing] the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.”
China labeled the operation a “hegemonic act” that “seriously violate[s] international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten[s] peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region.” Beijing called on the U.S. to “abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security.”
On the Ground in Venezuela
Initial reports indicate celebrations by anti-Maduro factions in the streets of Caracas, while the status of the Venezuelan government remains unclear. The long-term political and legal implications of removing a sitting head of state by foreign military force are unprecedented in recent hemispheric relations.
President Trump has announced a news conference from Mar-a-Lago to provide further details, as the world awaits Venezuela’s response and the broader fallout from this dramatic escalation.
About The Author
