Overview
- The U.S. says special operations under “Absolute Resolve” used more than 150 aircraft and Delta Force units to detain Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, who were moved via USS Iwo Jima and flown to New York for charges including narcoterrorism, with a court appearance expected Monday.
- President Trump says the United States will run a temporary transition and install U.S. companies to manage Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, signals possible ground deployments, and indicates openness to work with Delcy Rodríguez while downplaying María Corina Machado’s role.
- Caracas residents reported explosions, power and internet outages, and a heavy security presence; U.S. officials reported no U.S. combat deaths, while Venezuelan authorities and local journalists alleged civilian and military casualties without confirmed totals.
- Russia, China, Cuba and several Latin American governments condemned the operation, the UN Security Council is set to meet, Brazil recognized Rodríguez as interim president, Colombia reinforced its border, and Argentina’s Javier Milei voiced support.
- In the United States, the move reignited divisions on the right between isolationist MAGA voices and interventionist conservatives, and drew legal challenges over bypassing Congress and the operation’s basis under international law.