The Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been apprehended and is being transported to New York, according to a statement delivered by US President Donald Trump to Fox News. Trump indicated he monitored the operation from a dedicated space, claiming to have listened in on communications throughout the event. He acknowledged minor injuries amongst US personnel but asserted there were no fatalities, emphasizing the advanced capabilities and equipment utilized in the operation.
Originally planned for execution four days prior, the timing was reportedly delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. Trump claimed a widespread power outage encompassed almost the entirety of Caracas during the raid, facilitating the operation’s success. Maduro was taken into custody within his heavily guarded compound, described by Trump as resembling a “fortress”. He reiterated his belief that no casualties were sustained during the seizure, despite reports of gunfire exchanged with Maduro’s security detail, whom he inexplicably claimed reappeared after the initial engagement.
Trump justified the unprecedented intervention, citing the ongoing battle against alleged drug imports originating from South America, arguing the crisis warrants a response exceeding the casualties incurred in conventional warfare. His announcement raises significant legal and diplomatic concerns, particularly regarding the US’s right to unilaterally detain a head of state within another nation’s territory.
Furthermore, Trump signaled a significant US economic intervention in Venezuela’s oil sector, promising the involvement of “outstanding” US oil companies and foreshadowing further action. He alluded to preparations for a “second wave” against Venezuela, suggesting a prolonged and potentially destabilizing engagement. This escalation risks exacerbating the already dire humanitarian and political situation in Venezuela and triggers immediate questions about international law, sovereignty and the potential for wider regional conflict. The abrupt nature of the operation and the President’s public disclosure of granular details raise serious concerns regarding transparency and adherence to established protocols in matters of international security.