Overview
- Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are in U.S. custody in New York on narco‑terrorism and drug charges after a special‑forces raid, with a first court appearance expected Monday in Manhattan federal court.
- Marco Rubio said the U.S. is not occupying Venezuela and is targeting drug networks, while stressing that the president "retains optionality" for future military steps if required.
- Rubio framed an oil "quarantine"—including seizures of sanctioned tankers and a regional naval posture—as the main lever to force changes to Venezuela’s oil governance and curb trafficking and ties to U.S. adversaries.
- Venezuela’s military recognized Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president, and Rubio said Washington is prepared to work with existing officials if they meet U.S. conditions.
- Congressional and legal scrutiny intensified as Democrats floated a war powers vote and senior Republicans walked back Trump’s claim the U.S. would "run" Venezuela, while China and Brazil condemned the operation.