US military forces have carried out a large-scale operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to the United States. The raid, led by the elite Delta Force unit, marks the first direct US military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Following the operation, questions have emerged over who will assume control of Venezuela’s leadership.

In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump said his administration is considering whether to support opposition leader María Corina Machado, currently in Norway, as Venezuela’s new leader. Trump described Maduro’s election as disgraceful and said the arrest sends a clear message that the United States will no longer bow to pressure. Washington has indicated no further action will be taken against Caracas, while the Venezuelan government has accused the US of seeking to seize its oil and mineral resources.

The United Kingdom stated it was not involved in the operation, and Russia condemned the US military action. A state of emergency has been declared across Venezuela following the raid.