Overview
- Nicolás Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty in Manhattan on drug-trafficking charges and remain jailed in Brooklyn, with the next court date set for March 17.
- Venezuela’s institutions installed Delcy Rodríguez as acting president in Caracas as powerful figures such as Vladimir Padrino López and Diosdado Cabello continue to wield influence.
- The UN human rights office said the operation violated core principles of international law and warned that further militarization could worsen Venezuela’s situation.
- Cuba reported 32 of its security personnel were killed during the U.S. operation to capture Maduro, a blow analysts say tarnishes Havana’s intelligence reputation.
- Global markets were relatively steady even as U.S. oil majors rallied on prospects in Venezuela, and reporting pointed to a CIA assessment favoring regime insiders for stability while unusual pre-announcement bets on Polymarket drew scrutiny.