Overview
- U.S. troops removed Nicolás Maduro from power and flew him to New York to face a federal indictment on narco-terrorism, drug-importation, and weapons charges.
- On 60 Minutes, former hostage envoy Roger Carstens said he did not view Maduro as an international drug dealer and described him as a practical interlocutor who helped free 20 Americans.
- Carstens said he was not surprised by the capture, citing prior military and diplomatic moves that signaled a possible Delta Force operation absent a deal.
- Former DEA special agent Sandy Gonzalez told 60 Minutes that evidence shows a state-sponsored trafficking conspiracy with Maduro in the chain of command, alleging direct involvement and personal enrichment.
- The segment aired hours after the operation that also led to charges against Maduro’s wife and others, as President Trump said the United States will run Venezuela for the time being.