Overview
- U.S. officials said Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were seized in an overnight raid and moved into American custody, with images released showing Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima before he was flown to New York to face charges.
- Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said more than 150 aircraft took part after months of planning, reporting helicopter fire on approach, injuries to a few U.S. personnel, and no U.S. fatalities.
- President Trump announced the United States will temporarily run Venezuela and signaled possible troop deployments, a readiness for a second strike, and plans for U.S. oil companies to help rebuild production with revenues used to reimburse costs.
- Maduro and Flores were charged in the Southern District of New York with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses, with prosecutors alleging coordination between Venezuelan officials and major criminal organizations.
- Control inside Venezuela remains uncertain as security forces patrol and power outages linger; Vice President Delcy Rodríguez rejected cooperation, demanded proof of life, and called for Maduro’s release, while global reactions ranged from condemnation by Russia, Cuba, and Iran to support from Argentina.