Overview
- U.S. forces conducted an overnight operation that detained Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, flying them out of Caracas and transferring them to the USS Iwo Jima.
- Trump shared what he said was the first photo of Maduro in custody, which Elon Musk reposted with the message, “Congratulations, President Trump! This is a win for the world and a clear message to evil dictators everywhere.”
- Musk added a separate post saying it was “heartwarming” to see Venezuelans celebrating their country freed from a “brutal tyrant.”
- Musk’s August 2024 message vowing to take Maduro “to Gitmo on a donkey” went viral again, spurring wide reposts and AI‑generated memes depicting the quip.
- Hindustan Times reports Maduro was taken to New York to face federal narcotrafficking charges with a court appearance expected Monday, and that Musk later shared a photo from a dinner with Trump and the First Lady.