Overview
- U.S. officials say special forces captured Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores and transferred them to the United States to face narcotics-related charges.
- Venezuela’s Supreme Court cited Article 234 to declare Maduro’s temporary absence and ordered Delcy Rodríguez to assume the presidency, as she denounced the U.S. operation and demanded proof of life for the pair.
- President Donald Trump said the United States will run Venezuela during a transition and outlined plans for U.S. oil companies to help rebuild the sector, while dismissing María Corina Machado as lacking support to govern.
- Trump warned Rodríguez to cooperate or face severe consequences, even as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he spoke with her and described her as receptive to U.S. plans.
- Rodríguez’s location remains unverified, with reports placing her in Russia disputed by Moscow, and competing claims to authority continue to cloud control of institutions and next steps.