Overview
- U.S. special operations forces seized Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in a pre-dawn raid, and SDNY unsealed indictments charging them with narco-terrorism, cocaine importation and weapons offenses.
- Trump defended the mission as enforcing U.S. law and later said the U.S. would "run" Venezuela with major oil investment, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted it was not a war.
- Democratic leaders labeled the action illegal and an "act of war," said the Gang of Eight was not notified in advance, and demanded immediate briefings.
- Republicans largely praised the capture, though figures such as Mike Lee, Susan Collins and Tom Barrett pressed for consultation or authorization before any further military steps.
- Congress returns this week to votes on War Powers measures that would bar additional operations in Venezuela without approval, with some bipartisan support signaled.