Overview
- President Trump said a U.S. raid captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, released a transport photo, and indicated Maduro has been transferred for prosecution in New York on updated narcotics-related charges.
- At least 40 people, including civilians and military personnel, were reported killed in Caracas during the operation, with media describing special-operations involvement and no U.S. combat deaths announced.
- Venezuela’s government condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty, requested an urgent U.N. Security Council session, and said Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in and rejects U.S. control.
- The administration floated a temporary plan to “run” Venezuela and emphasized energy infrastructure goals, while the FBI declined to confirm any role and would not comment on domestic security posture.
- U.S. lawmakers and legal experts questioned the operation’s authorization without Congress, as Senate Democrats prepared measures to curb unilateral military actions and analysts warned of geopolitical ripple effects for Ukraine and Russia.