Key Takeaways
- The U.S. conducted military strikes in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
- Maduro and his wife face U.S. federal indictment in New York for narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges.
- Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded proof of life for Maduro and is positioned as interim president.
- International reactions to the U.S. actions are divided, with some nations condemning and others celebrating.
Deep Dive
- The United States launched large-scale strikes on Caracas and other areas of Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro.
- The White House confirmed the strikes followed months of increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean.
- U.S. military forces targeted the La Carlota military airport and three other states in Venezuela.
- A reporter on the ground in Caracas, Vanessa Silva, described waking to explosions near the La Carlota military airport and seeing fires.
- Cuba's president condemned the U.S. action in Venezuela.
- Colombia's president began preparations for potential Venezuelan refugees.
- Argentina's president publicly celebrated the capture of President Maduro.
- Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado had not yet commented on the events.
- President Trump described the military operation, conducted with U.S. law enforcement, as a 'brilliant operation.'
- Attorney General Pam Bondi announced President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
- The charges against Maduro include narco-terrorism and weapons trafficking, stemming from an indictment dating back six years.
- The Trump administration had previously doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's capture to $50 million.
- Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated she did not know Maduro's whereabouts and called for proof of life, declaring a state of emergency.
- Rodríguez is positioned to become interim president, pending U.S. approval.
- Venezuela's defense minister called for troops to defend the country, which is reportedly under attack.
- Uncertainty remains regarding the actions of Maduro loyalists and the Venezuelan military following the capture.
- While immediate U.S. military action appears concluded, a substantial force remains in the region.
- This force includes over a dozen ships, such as the USS Gerald 4, and approximately 15,000 troops, built up since August.
- NPR's Greg Myre reported that future U.S. actions against drug smuggling and oil tankers in the region are uncertain.