Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrived in United States federal custody late Saturday after a dramatic overnight military operation that has sent shockwaves through the international community and raised urgent questions about international law.
A plane believed to be carrying Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed near Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York. The deposed leader was subsequently transported by helicopter to the city, where officials confirmed he would be processed at the Metropolitan Detention Center. According to NBC News, Maduro is expected to appear in court by Monday evening.
The lightning military strike, which began in the early hours of Saturday, resulted in significant casualties. The New York Times reported that at least 40 people, including civilians and soldiers, were killed in the attack. Among the victims was Rosa González, who died when her three-story apartment complex was struck.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that both Maduro and his wife would face criminal charges following their indictment in New York on drug trafficking and weapons offenses. "They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi declared on social media
President Donald Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, claimed the United States would now "run" Venezuela with cooperation from the remaining regime. However, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez sharply contradicted this assertion during a television appearance from Caracas, declaring Maduro the country's "only" president and vowing that Venezuela would not be colonized.
The operation has triggered a fierce international backlash. The United Nations Security Council will convene an emergency meeting Monday, requested by Colombia and backed by Russia and China. UN Secretary General António Guterres expressed deep concern, stating that the rules of international law had not been respected and warning of a "dangerous precedent."
Trump also signaled major plans for Venezuela's oil industry, claiming US companies would invest "billions and billions of dollars" to rebuild the nation's petroleum infrastructure. However, major oil giants have remained conspicuously silent. Chevron, the only US company still operating in Venezuela, offered only that it would follow "relevant laws and regulations," while ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips declined to comment.
Democratic lawmakers expressed outrage over the operation, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer revealing that administration officials had assured him in three classified briefings that they were not pursuing regime change. "Clearly they're not being straight with the American people," Schumer said.
International responses varied dramatically. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the "opportunity for freedom, democracy, peace, and prosperity for the Venezuelan people," while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer took a more measured approach, stating Britain would "shed no tears" over Maduro's fall but emphasizing the importance of upholding international law.
Venezuela's oil exports have ground to a halt, with port captains receiving no authorization requests for loaded ships to depart. Trump confirmed a full oilembargo was in effect.
As the world awaits Maduro's court appearance, the situation remains volatile, with Venezuela's ambassador to the UN calling the action "a colonial war aimed at destroying our republican form of government."
Photo: The Guardian