In an unprecedented international operation, the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, has been captured and flown to the United States, where he now faces a litany of serious criminal charges.
From Caracas to Brooklyn: The Capture and Arrival
The swift operation began in the early hours of Saturday morning, with explosions reported at several sites around the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. The capture was confirmed by former US President Donald Trump via a post on his Truth Social platform, which featured an image of a blindfolded and handcuffed Maduro dressed in a grey Nike sweatsuit.
By Sunday, Maduro had been transported to New York. Video footage showed him arriving at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, flanked by two men believed to be from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). As he entered the facility, the deposed leader turned to onlookers and wished them a "good night" and a "happy new year."
The Charges and Immediate Political Fallout
Upon his arrival, a previously sealed indictment was unsealed, levelling severe accusations against the Venezuelan head of state. The US Department of Justice charges Maduro with conspiring with "some of the most violent and prolific drug traffickers and narco-terrorists in the world." The specific charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offences related to machine guns and destructive devices.
The political ramifications were immediate. At a press conference, Donald Trump stated that the US would "run Venezuela" in Maduro's absence. He indicated the oil-rich nation would be administered by a group, gesturing to figures including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump also pledged to invest "billions of dollars" into exploiting Venezuela's natural resources.
International Reaction and Background
The UK government responded through Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who stated that Britain has "long supported a transition of power in Venezuela" and regards Maduro as an "illegitimate president." Starmer reiterated his support for international law and confirmed the UK government would discuss the evolving situation with US counterparts, seeking a peaceful transition to a legitimate government.
This stance aligns with a statement made just last month by the UK representative at the UN Security Council, calling for a negotiated transition. Maduro, a former bus driver, first took power in 2013 following the death of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez. His 2024 re-election was widely denounced by the international community for failing to meet democratic standards, with the full results still unpublished.
The extraordinary events have sparked demonstrations across the globe, with many Venezuelans abroad celebrating the apparent end of a regime they widely loathe. The situation continues to develop rapidly, marking a dramatic new chapter in the long-running political and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
