US Forces Capture Maduro in 7th Capitol Strike, Topple Venezuelan President
Key Takeaways
- U.S. military raid in Caracas captured Maduro and his wife and removed them from Venezuela.
- Maduro and wife transported to USS Iwo Jima on way to New York; narcoterrorism charges.
- World leaders largely expressed concern, with some praise amid the capture.
Operation Iron Reels
In a midnight operation, US forces captured Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife and flew them to New York.
““We are reasserting American power”
Trump announced the United States has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader.
The capture came after coordinated strikes at Venezuela's La Guaira port and Fuerte Tiuna military base.
Atlantic Council experts described it as a regime-change effort.
Legal and Sovereignty Questions
The operation raises complex legal and sovereignty issues.
Removing a sitting foreign president by military force is rare and legally uncharted.
Venezuela's Supreme Court swore in Delcy Rodríguez as interim president.
She stated, There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolás Maduro.
Global and Regional Reactions
Reactions were swift and overwhelmingly condemnatory across the Western Hemisphere.
“Maduro's capture: For China, the double Kiss-Cool effect of the American operation in Caracas Donald Trump had deliberately chosen not to express his concern about the large-scale military maneuvers conducted by the People's Liberation Army around Taiwan last week”
Brazil's Lula decried the intervention as a most serious affront to Venezuela's sovereignty.
Mexican, Colombian, Russian, Iranian and Qatari officials condemned the US action.
The Congressional Black Caucus called the operation a grave and illegal abuse of power.
Human and Economic Cost
The overnight strikes killed at least 135 people, including more than 50 at the La Guaira port.
Oil prices surged 10% as Venezuela's exports were effectively halted.
The World Food Program warned that the blockade was deepening food insecurity.
Broader Geopolitical Context
L'Opinion framed the capture as a double message to China.
“Maduro arrives in New York”
The new US National Security Strategy will prevent competitors not belonging to our hemisphere from deploying forces.
The capture sent shockwaves through Russia-Venezuela relations.
More on South America
US Removes Sanctions on Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela Relations Normalize
29 sources compared
US Forces Capture Venezuelan President Maduro; Trump Looks to Expand Regional Control
23 sources compared
Lula Secures Fourth Term in Brazil Following Victory over Bolsonaro, Orders Ministry Overhaul
10 sources compared
FAA Lifts Caribbean Airspace Curbs At Midnight ET, Allowing U.S. Carriers To Resume Flights
17 sources compared