Overview
- Nicolás Maduro appeared in a New York federal court, pleaded not guilty to narcoterrorism and arms charges, remains detained, and is due back in court on March 17.
- Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in by Venezuela’s National Assembly as interim president, with reporting noting an interim mandate of up to 180 days and lingering power centers such as Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino staying in place.
- President Donald Trump said there was no prior coordination with Rodríguez or Maduro’s inner circle in the operation, said Rodríguez has been cooperating, ruled out near-term elections, and warned of further action if cooperation stops.
- The UN human-rights office said the U.S. intervention undermined a fundamental principle of international law and cautioned that Venezuela’s human-rights situation could worsen under heightened security measures.
- Security tensions continued in Caracas with reports of drones and gunfire near the Miraflores palace, official claims that police downed unauthorized drones, and media tallies citing dozens of deaths, including one report of about 80 fatalities from the operation.