Overview
- U.S. forces flew Nicolás Maduro to New York to face charges as Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was installed as interim leader with backing from the Supreme Court and much of the military.
- Analysts say the outcome in Caracas shows Washington is pursuing leverage over democratization, with opposition figures like María Corina Machado sidelined from shaping next steps.
- Iran’s leadership reacted nervously to Maduro’s capture, even casting doubt on it on state TV before acknowledging it, as nationwide protests continue with reported deaths and thousands of arrests.
- Commentary across outlets argues the ‘Venezuela playbook’ would falter in Iran because of different power structures and regional stakes, and because external pressure often hardens repression rather than topples regimes.
- Russia and China did not move to protect Maduro, highlighting limits to great‑power backing, while a former U.S. official and other commentators suggested Washington is unlikely to pursue regime decapitation in Tehran.