Overview
- U.S. forces seized Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores in a pre-dawn Caracas raid conducted under a Justice Department warrant, and Maduro was moved to New York to face charges.
- The White House informed congressional leaders after the operation began, describing it in a short notice as a military operation in Venezuela to address national security threats.
- Marco Rubio said on Sunday the mission was a precise, trigger-based law enforcement action that required military support to neutralize radars and air defenses, arguing advance notice risked deadly leaks.
- Democrats, including Rep. Gregory Meeks and Rep. Adam Smith, accuse Rubio of misleading Congress about intentions, while House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries calls the operation an act of war.
- Senior Republicans broadly support the seizure but seek briefings, and Sen. Mike Lee signaled the action likely fit the president’s authority after speaking with Rubio.