BREAKING NEWS: The United States has conducted a significant military operation, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro overnight. President Donald Trump has just announced that the U.S. will assume control of Venezuela, promising a “safe, proper and judicious transition” for the country.
In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. Special Forces seized Maduro near one of his safe houses in Caracas, causing widespread electricity outages during the operation. “We can’t take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the interests of Venezuelans in mind,” Trump declared at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Saturday. Reports confirm that a plane carrying Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed at Stewart International Airport in upstate New York on Saturday evening. Footage showed U.S. personnel, including FBI agents, boarding the aircraft after its landing.
Maduro, who has been indicted on several U.S. charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, is expected to make his first court appearance in Manhattan on Monday, October 9, 2023. His wife also faces serious charges relating to cocaine importation conspiracy. According to a Justice Department official, Maduro will be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn prior to his court session.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez responded swiftly, labeling the operation a “kidnapping.” In a televised address, she demanded the immediate release of Maduro, proclaiming him “the only president of Venezuela.” Despite the upheaval, the streets of Venezuela remained largely calm, with soldiers patrolling key areas and small crowds of Maduro supporters gathering in Caracas.
Trump’s press conference, attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, raised questions about the future management of Venezuela. Trump stated, “The people that are standing right behind me would oversee the country,” but did not clarify how the U.S. would effectively govern Venezuela. He expressed willingness to deploy U.S. forces into the country, asserting, “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground.”
The removal of Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela with an iron fist for over 12 years, creates a substantial power vacuum in a nation bordered by Colombia, Brazil, Guyana, and the Caribbean. Trump’s administration has yet to indicate who they plan to collaborate with in Venezuela, having closed the door on working with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a prominent figure in the fight against Maduro. Trump stated, “She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country,” sparking outrage among Machado’s supporters.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely to see how the U.S. will navigate this unprecedented control of Venezuela and the implications it holds for the region. This is a developing story, and further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
