Overview
- Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a U.S. military operation and flown to the New York area, where he is being held pending federal prosecution on narco‑terrorism and related charges.
- The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber invoked Articles 234 and 239, calling Maduro’s detention a “situation of impossibility” and designating Delcy Rodríguez to exercise presidential powers as a protective, urgent measure.
- Rodríguez appeared on state television in Caracas, convened the National Defense Council, demanded proof of life for Maduro, and insisted he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president.
- President Donald Trump said the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela and claimed Rodríguez had indicated willingness to cooperate, while he discounted opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
- Venezuelan officials reported at least 40 deaths from U.S. strikes, while U.S. leaders said no American troops were killed, acknowledged some injuries, and noted a helicopter was hit but remained flyable.