Overview
- Maduro remains in U.S. custody in New York as Delcy Rodríguez serves as interim president in Caracas.
- Russia denounced the operation and demanded Maduro’s release yet announced no concrete measures, and Putin has not commented.
- Moscow also protested the U.S. seizure of a Russian‑flagged tanker linked to Venezuela but took no action beyond statements.
- The raid highlighted shortcomings in Venezuela’s Russian‑made air defenses, a reputational blow U.S. officials underscored.
- Experts say Russia’s economic exposure in Venezuela is small and note the episode may give the Kremlin rhetorical cover on Ukraine, while U.S. messaging to Caracas reportedly ties oil access to curbing ties with Moscow.