Overview
- Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown to New York after a U.S. raid and are in federal custody ahead of initial court proceedings on narco‑terrorism and weapons charges.
- Venezuela’s military recognized Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president; Rubio said the U.S. is prepared to work with current authorities if they meet U.S. conditions, though he called the regime’s mandate illegitimate and said elections are not imminent.
- Rubio said the U.S. intends to exert leverage through an oil export embargo and maritime enforcement rather than day‑to‑day governance, while refusing to rule out further military action.
- Criticism mounted from abroad and on Capitol Hill, with Spain and several Latin American governments condemning the operation and Senator Tim Kaine vowing a War Powers vote as leaders like Chuck Schumer questioned the action’s legality.
- Regional tensions flared as Rubio warned Cuban leaders they should be concerned and President Trump told Colombia’s Gustavo Petro to “watch his ass,” even as Caracas experienced a tense calm.