Overview
- The Justice Department unsealed new narcotics-related charges against Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, and U.S. authorities moved Maduro into federal custody in New York after his transfer from the USS Iwo Jima.
- The overnight mission, dubbed Absolute Resolve, struck sites in and around Caracas including Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota, involved more than 150 aircraft, and produced disputed casualty figures.
- President Trump said the United States will direct Venezuela until a “safe” transition, authorized U.S. oil companies to operate there, and warned of a potential larger follow-on strike.
- Venezuela’s Supreme Court instructed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume interim duties, and she publicly condemned the operation and demanded Maduro’s release.
- Russia, China, Iran, the European Union and multiple Latin American governments issued condemnations, Colombia reinforced its border, and the UN Security Council plans to meet at Venezuela’s request.