UPDATE: The Venezuelan government has declared its unwavering support for President Nicolas Maduro following his dramatic capture by U.S. forces. This urgent development has plunged the oil-rich nation into uncertainty as Maduro awaits a court appearance on drug charges in New York.
Maduro, aged 63, was apprehended on Saturday, July 15, 2023, amid a controversial U.S. intervention that has drawn comparisons to the invasion of Panama over three decades ago. Venezuelan officials, who have labeled the detentions of Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores as a “kidnapping,” are rallying behind their leader in the capital, Caracas.
In a statement shared by the ruling PSUV socialist party, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello asserted, “the unity of the revolutionary force is more than guaranteed,” emphasizing that “there is only one President, whose name is Nicolas Maduro Moros.” His comments came as images of a blindfolded and handcuffed Maduro circulated, shocking many Venezuelans.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who also holds the oil minister position, has been named interim leader by the Venezuelan Supreme Court but insists that Maduro remains the President. Known for her connections to the private sector, Rodriguez is viewed as a pragmatic force in Maduro’s inner circle. However, she has publicly contradicted U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested she is open to collaboration with the U.S.
The Venezuelan military has officially recognized Rodriguez as interim leader, according to Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino. The government claims the U.S. pressure campaign aims to seize the nation’s vast oil resources, further fueled by Trump’s remarks that U.S. oil companies would step in.
Cabello expressed outrage over the U.S. intervention, stating, “It was revealed that they only want our oil.” This latest U.S. action has exacerbated Venezuela’s already dire economic situation, which has seen one in five citizens flee the country amid a deepening crisis.
Despite the tense atmosphere, daily life in Caracas showed signs of normalcy, with some bakeries and coffee shops remaining open. Residents are taking precautions, stocking up on essentials as uncertainty looms. The owner of a local supermarket noted that they had closed on Saturday due to the chaos but opened on Sunday to support the community.
Opposition leaders, however, are cautious. Trump dismissed the possibility of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, taking over, stating she lacks adequate support. Machado has been barred from the 2024 elections, yet her ally, Edmundo Gonzalez, is viewed by many as having a democratic mandate to lead.
The U.S. plans to maintain control over Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can occur, according to Trump’s statements. The global community is reacting, with the United Nations Security Council scheduled to convene on Monday, July 17, 2023, to discuss the implications of this unprecedented military action, which Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has termed a “dangerous precedent.”
As the situation continues to evolve, many are left wondering how this will impact not only Venezuela’s political landscape but also its struggling economy and the lives of millions of its citizens. The world watches closely as the developments unfold.
