In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation on Latin American soil. The action, which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, marks a stunning culmination of a prolonged confrontation between the US and the Venezuelan leader.
The Dramatic Capture and White House Mockery
The Venezuelan capital, Caracas, was shaken by a series of loud explosions as US Special Forces moved in. Maduro and his wife were swiftly extracted from the presidential palace, Palacio de Miraflores, and transported to New York City to face longstanding drug trafficking and weapons charges.
Hours after the successful operation, the White House released a provocative video montage. The clip featured Maduro's own past, fiery words where he dared the US to capture him. "Come get me. I will wait for him here in Miraflores. Don't be late, coward," Maduro had declared in a speech shown in the video.
The montage concluded with US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, delivering a blunt message at a press briefing. "Nicolas Maduro had his chance — until he didn't; he f'ed around, and he found out," Hegseth stated, a phrase that has since gone viral.
What Led to the US Military Intervention?
The roots of this direct intervention trace back to the first term of the Trump administration. In March 2020, the US Department of Justice indicted Maduro and 14 other senior Venezuelan officials on serious "narco-terrorism" charges.
The situation escalated in late December when Maduro reportedly rejected an ultimatum from former President Donald Trump to leave office. Following a US strike on a Venezuelan dock allegedly used for drug trafficking, Maduro responded with a display of defiance on state television, even dancing on stage. These "displays of nonchalance" are said to have convinced Trump's circle that Maduro was mocking them, further pushing the US toward decisive action.
After the covert operation, Trump announced Maduro's capture on his Truth Social platform. Subsequently, on Sunday, Trump stated that Washington would temporarily "run" Venezuela and take control of its crucial oil sector.
Aftermath and Political Shifts in Venezuela
With Maduro now in US custody, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed charge as Venezuela's interim president. In a notable political decision, Trump indicated he would accept Rodríguez's leadership. He suggested that opposition figure María Corina Machado, despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize and being part of the bloc that won last year's presidential elections, lacked the necessary "respect" to govern.
Reports indicate that Rodríguez has previously built connections with Republicans within the oil industry, a factor that may have influenced Washington's stance. This unprecedented event sends shockwaves through international relations, setting a new and controversial precedent for US involvement in the region.
