U.S. forces arrest President Nicolás Maduro, send him to New York for federal prosecution

U.S. forces conducted a dramatic overnight operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

“CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington”

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The operation targeted them at their home within the Fort Tiuna military installation in Caracas.

AP News

Multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft swept through the Venezuelan capital during the operation.

Maduro's government immediately denounced it as an 'imperialist attack' and urged citizens to take to the streets.

The captured Venezuelan leader was first taken aboard a U.S. warship before being transported to New York.

A plane carrying the deposed leader landed late Saturday afternoon in the United States.

The capture came after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington on the Venezuelan government.

Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on social media platform X that they will 'soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.'

CBC

The Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández described the capture as 'what we could call a kidnapping of the president and the first lady of the country.'

He emphasized the dramatic nature of the operation that occurred at their home within the Fort Tiuna military installation.

Bondi's announcement came as part of the Trump administration's broader campaign against the South American nation.

The legal proceedings represent a significant escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations.

President Trump has announced that the United States will 'run' Venezuela following Maduro's capture.

He declared that 'No nation in the world could achieve what America has achieved yesterday or frankly in a short period of time.'

Trump made these remarks during a Saturday news conference flanked by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

He failed to provide specific answers about how the U.S. would oversee Venezuela.

When asked who would specifically lead Venezuela, Trump replied, 'The people who are standing right behind me.'

He stated that 'We're not afraid of boots on the ground.'

The administration's approach focuses on replacing the Maduro regime with what McMaster described as 'a legitimate regime.'

They also aim to 'dry up their cash flow' through interdiction of oil tankers and destruction of boats.

The capture of Maduro has sparked significant international and domestic reactions.

The Congressional Black Caucus blasted Trump over the operation as 'a grave and illegal abuse of power.'

PBS

The caucus warned that the deployment of U.S. military power threatens to draw the U.S. into an indefinite conflict in Venezuela.

They also stated it threatens regional stability and weakens America's standing on the world stage.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the opportunity for 'freedom, democracy and prosperity for the Venezuelan people.'

Carney noted that Canada has not recognized the 'illegitimate regime of Maduro since it stole the 2018 election.'

Protests gathered outside the Brooklyn jail where Maduro is being held, with demonstrators calling for his release.

Protesters questioned what might stop Trump from similar actions against other countries.

Trump has made clear his intentions regarding Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

“On Monday afternoon, clad in prison garb and seen publicly for the first time since his arrest, Venezuela’s president and his wife pleaded not guilty on narco-terrorism, among other charges, as accused by the United States”

Port City Daily

He stated that he'll get the oil flowing and sell it to several countries.

Port City Daily

The wealth would go 'back to the people' of Venezuela as well as to the U.S.

Trump claimed his government's involvement in Venezuela 'won't cost us a penny' because the U.S. would be reimbursed from the 'money coming out of the ground.'

This has raised legal concerns about who really owns the oil.

Matthew Waxman, a Columbia University law professor, noted that seizing control of Venezuela's resources opens up additional legal issues.

Waxman pointed out that 'An occupying military power can't enrich itself by taking another state's resources.'

Maduro has long accused Washington of wanting to take control of Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world.

There remains significant uncertainty about Venezuela's future leadership and governance following Maduro's capture.

Trump claimed the U.S. would 'run' Venezuela and that it's up to Rubio to work out the details.

He did not offer a specific timeline for how long the U.S. would lead the country.

Under Venezuelan law, Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez would take power.

Trump claimed Rubio had been in touch with Rodriguez, quoting her as saying, 'We'll do whatever you need.'

However, Rodriguez later demanded the U.S. free Maduro and called him the country's rightful leader.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado said opposition candidate Edmundo González should assume power.

She claimed he rightfully won the 2024 presidential election.

Despite the dramatic operation, U.S. forces appear to have no control over the country itself.

Maduro's government appears to still be in charge in many respects.