Overview
- Nicólas Maduro and Cilia Flores appeared in Manhattan federal court and pleaded not guilty to narco‑terrorism and related charges after their capture in a U.S. raid in Caracas.
- Venezuela’s Supreme Court named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez acting president and she was being sworn in, as she demanded Maduro’s release but later signaled interest in “respectful” ties with Washington.
- President Donald Trump said the U.S. is “in charge” and wants “total access” to Venezuelan oil, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized a focus on counter‑narcotics and pressure via oil sanctions rather than direct governance.
- The United Nations Security Council met in an emergency session on the raid’s legality, and governments including Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Uruguay denounced the U.S. action as a dangerous breach of international law.
- Fatalities from the operation remain disputed, with The New York Times citing at least 80 deaths including Cuban security personnel, as Caracas stayed largely calm and U.S. officials did not rule out further measures.