Overview
- Maduro pleaded not guilty at his New York arraignment, was ordered to remain in custody, and is due back in court on March 17.
- Trump said there was no prior coordination with Delcy Rodríguez in the operation, noted she has been cooperating, and said her sanctions status will be reviewed while ruling out near‑term elections.
- Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal declared Maduro’s forced absence and Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, who ratified an emergency decree allowing arrests of those supporting the U.S. offensive.
- U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright will meet this week with major oil executives in Miami on restoring Venezuelan output, as analysts estimate investment needs could exceed $100 billion and firms like Exxon, Chevron and Conoco cite past expropriations.
- The UN voiced deep concern and the Security Council convened, Caracas saw reported drones near Miraflores that authorities said were shot down, casualty counts remain disputed with one report citing 80 deaths, and maritime trackers reported at least 16 sanctioned tankers departing Venezuelan waters.