Overview
- U.S. special operations captured Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and transferred him to a federal facility in New York after overnight strikes on military targets.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington will judge Venezuela’s new leadership strictly by its actions and retain tools of pressure including sanctions, diplomatic isolation and maritime interdiction.
- Trump said the United States will govern Venezuela until an orderly transition and did not rule out a second attack if demands are not met.
- Venezuela’s Supreme Court and military confirmed Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, as she rejected U.S. claims, demanded Maduro’s release and vowed to defend national resources.
- The administration signaled expectations of major U.S. energy investment in Venezuela’s oil sector and broadened warnings across the region, including sharp messages to Colombia, Mexico and Cuba.