International
US captures Venezuela President Maduro; Trump says America will run country during transition
Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, China, Russia, Cuba and Iran condemned the US action, while Spain offered mediation and the EU, Germany and Italy urged restraint and respect for international law
The United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in what President Donald Trump described as a “large-scale military operation,” triggering global condemnation and raising fears of a wider regional crisis.
Trump said US forces seized Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them to New York, where they face federal charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. Speaking from Florida, Trump said the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be carried out, adding that Washington would be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil sector, which holds the world’s largest proven reserves.
According to US officials, as reported by various international news organisations, the overnight operation involved missile strikes on military installations, raids on alleged drug-linked targets and the participation of US Special Forces, including Delta Force, with CIA support. Maduro was captured near a safe house and transferred via a US Navy vessel before being flown to New York. It remains unclear how many people were killed during the operation, Reuters reported.
The move drew sharp criticism from governments across Latin America and beyond. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the attack and detention of a sitting head of state crossed “an unacceptable line” and violated Venezuelan sovereignty. Mexico called it a clear breach of Article 2 of the UN Charter, while Colombia rejected what it termed aggression against Latin America and began mobilising troops along its border with Venezuela.
China and Russia strongly condemned the US action, calling it a violation of international law and an act of armed aggression. Cuba described the strikes as “state terrorism,” while Iran urged the UN Security Council to intervene. Spain called for de-escalation and offered mediation, and Germany and Italy said they were closely monitoring the situation.
In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez denounced the operation as a kidnapping and demanded Maduro’s immediate release. A Venezuelan court later appointed her interim president for 90 days. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López said some of Maduro’s bodyguards, along with military personnel and civilians, were killed during the operation.
In the United States, the operation also sparked political backlash. Congressman Greg Casar said Trump had no authority to take the country to war and called for an immediate vote under the War Powers Resolution. Legal experts questioned the legality of seizing the leader of a sovereign nation without congressional approval.
While some Venezuelans expressed relief at Maduro’s removal, others warned the action could deepen instability. Security forces were deployed in parts of Caracas, where small demonstrations were reported, as uncertainty loomed over who would ultimately govern the country and how long the US would remain involved.