The United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores following months of surveillance and secret drills, culminating in a sudden nighttime operation. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the detention in an interview with CBS News, describing it as a law enforcement mission. He stated that the US Congress would be kept informed and emphasized that the future course of Venezuela would be determined by its own people.

Hegseth said the operation also considered America’s security, prosperity, and oil interests. He praised former President Donald Trump for making what he called the right decision and added that peace in a dangerous world requires strength. The defense secretary expressed confidence that both the United States and the Venezuelan people could ultimately benefit from the outcome.

The remarks suggest that Washington views the operation as both a strategic and economic move, with future developments in Venezuela expected to depend on internal decisions by its citizens.

China has issued a strong reaction following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by US forces. According to a statement from Beijing’s Foreign Ministry, China called on the United States to immediately release the couple, ensure their personal safety, and resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation. The statement was released after US forces conducted a midnight operation in Caracas, detaining Maduro and transferring him and his wife to the Brooklyn Detention Center in the United States.

Beijing’s statement described the US action as a blatant use of force against a sovereign state and expressed deep concern and condemnation. The Chinese government urged Washington to stop efforts aimed at undermining Venezuela’s governance system. In response to Maduro’s detention, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president to carry out executive duties.

The incident has intensified diplomatic tensions between China and the United States, with Beijing emphasizing respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink has announced that people in Venezuela will be able to use its internet service free of charge until February 3. The company made the announcement through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for Venezuelan citizens during the current situation.

According to the BBC, the decision follows a recent large-scale U.S. military operation in Venezuela, during which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained and taken to New York. In response to these developments, Starlink said it would provide free access to its high-speed satellite internet service to support communication across the country.

The free service is intended to remain active until early February, allowing Venezuelans to stay connected without cost during a period of political and military upheaval.

Anti-narcotics experts have stated that Venezuela’s role in global drug trafficking is relatively small, serving primarily as a transit point for narcotics produced elsewhere. Neighboring Colombia remains the world’s largest cocaine producer, but most of its output reaches the United States through routes other than Venezuela. According to a 2020 report by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), about three-quarters of the cocaine entering the U.S. travels via the Pacific Ocean, with only a small portion coming through the Caribbean.

Although earlier U.S. operations targeted Caribbean routes, recent enforcement efforts have shifted focus to the Pacific. In September, former U.S. President Donald Trump told military leaders that intercepted boats carried bags of white powder, mainly fentanyl and other drugs. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid about 50 times stronger than heroin, has become a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S. On December 15, Trump issued an executive order designating fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction.”

However, the DEA’s 2025 National Drug Threat Assessment did not identify Venezuela as a source of fentanyl trafficked into the United States, noting that the drug is primarily produced in Mexico and smuggled across the southern border by land.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured in a special operation in Venezuela and flown to New York, according to the report. After completing legal procedures at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office, they were transferred to a detention facility in Brooklyn known for its harsh and violent conditions. The prison, built in the 1990s to reduce overcrowding, has previously held high-profile inmates such as Ghislaine Maxwell and P. Diddy.

The couple faces charges of drug and arms trafficking, which Maduro has long denied. Their aircraft landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City, before they were flown by helicopter to Manhattan’s West Side Heliport and then taken to the DEA office.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Colombia, supported by Russia and China, called an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president to maintain order and continuity of governance, according to Reuters.

At least 40 people were killed in a United States military operation in Venezuela reportedly aimed at abducting President Nicolás Maduro, according to a senior Venezuelan official cited by The New York Times. The casualties included both military personnel and civilians. The report said the US forces launched a large-scale assault to destroy Venezuela’s air defense systems before landing troops on the ground.

US officials were quoted as saying that more than 150 American aircraft were deployed to neutralize Venezuela’s air defenses, allowing military helicopters to safely deploy troops who then attacked Maduro’s position. The operation’s details and the exact number of casualties have not been officially confirmed.

The White House and the Pentagon did not immediately comment when contacted regarding the reported attack or its aftermath.

Venezuelan Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the duties of president following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a United States military operation. Under Articles 233 and 234 of Venezuela’s constitution, the vice president takes over when the president is temporarily or permanently absent. Rodríguez, who also served as finance and oil minister, confirmed her assumption of office on Saturday afternoon and chaired a National Defense Council meeting hours after Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained. She demanded their immediate release and condemned the US action as a severe violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.

Rodríguez, 56, is a longtime ally of Maduro and a leading figure in the Chavismo movement founded by Hugo Chávez. She previously served as communications minister, foreign minister, and president of the Constituent National Assembly before becoming vice president in 2018. Analysts described her as one of the most powerful and hardline figures in the current system. Although US President Donald Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Rodríguez and that she showed willingness to work with Washington, she publicly denied any cooperation and reaffirmed loyalty to Maduro.

Rodríguez has since become the most visible face of the Venezuelan government amid uncertainty over Maduro’s fate.

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s acting president after the United States detained President Nicolás Maduro and took him to New York. The court issued the order on Saturday night, declaring that Maduro is temporarily unable to perform his duties. The decision was announced during a televised session on state channel VTV, where Justice Tania D’Amelio stated that Rodríguez will assume all powers and responsibilities of the presidency.

According to Venezuela’s constitution, the vice president must take over presidential duties in cases of temporary or complete absence of the president. Reuters reported that the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of Rodríguez’s appointment to ensure administrative continuity and national defense. The court also plans to hold hearings to determine the legal framework for maintaining state continuity and sovereignty in the face of the president’s forced absence.

The ruling marks a significant shift in Venezuela’s leadership structure as the country faces uncertainty following Maduro’s detention abroad.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep concern over the US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In a statement released through his spokesperson, Guterres warned that the operation could have alarming consequences for the entire region. He emphasized that the action in Venezuela set a dangerous precedent and called for full respect for the UN Charter and international law.

The Secretary-General voiced particular concern that international law had not been respected in this case. He urged Venezuela to engage in dialogue while upholding human rights and the rule of law. The statement came as Colombia, backed by Russia and China, called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council scheduled for Monday.

According to reports, the aircraft carrying Maduro landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base, about 70 kilometers from New York City, on Saturday evening. He was later transported by helicopter to Manhattan for initial legal processing at the US Drug Enforcement Administration headquarters before being moved to a Brooklyn prison.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration will work with an interim arrangement to manage Venezuela’s affairs until a safe, fair, and legitimate transfer of power is completed. He expressed support for Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume responsibility in this transitional framework. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is maintaining regular contact with Rodríguez, who appears willing to cooperate in line with U.S. expectations.

According to reports from BBC and Reuters, Rodríguez was a long-time close ally of recently ousted President Nicolás Maduro and served as his vice president. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, currently leads Venezuela’s National Assembly. The Rodríguez siblings have long been influential figures within Maduro’s government. Following a recent U.S. military operation, Venezuela’s political landscape has shifted rapidly, prompting Rodríguez to move toward cooperation with the Trump administration.

Trump’s administration stated that the interim arrangement aims to restore political stability in Venezuela and ensure an internationally recognized transfer of power, with Rodríguez expected to play a central role in the process.

Spain has offered to mediate between the United States and Venezuela after tensions escalated following a US attack in Caracas and the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was taken out of the country. According to an AFP report, Spain’s foreign ministry issued a statement on Saturday urging restraint and expressing readiness to help ease the situation.

The ministry said Spain did not recognize the results of Venezuela’s July 28, 2024, presidential election, in which the National Electoral Council declared Maduro the winner despite opposition rejection. Opposition candidate González Urrutia fled to Madrid after the election. Spain also noted that it has already granted asylum to thousands of Venezuelans forced to leave for political reasons and will continue to do so.

The statement emphasized Spain’s willingness to support a democratic, negotiated, and peaceful resolution for Venezuela, highlighting its ongoing humanitarian and diplomatic engagement with Venezuelan political developments.

The United States military has conducted a direct intervention in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to the US. The operation took place early Saturday in Caracas, and US President Donald Trump announced the action on his social media platform Truth Social. This marks the first direct US military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, effectively removing an anti-American leader from power in the region.

Nicolás Maduro, born in 1962 in Caracas, rose from a working-class background to become president after the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013. His rule was marked by severe economic crises, allegations of electoral fraud, and accusations of authoritarianism. Despite widespread protests following his disputed 2024 re-election, Maduro maintained power amid US sanctions and international criticism.

The US justified its military action by accusing Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking through Venezuela’s notorious Tren de Aragua gang. The operation signals a major escalation in US-Venezuela tensions and raises questions about the future political landscape of the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a group will assume control of Venezuela until a safe and fair transfer of power is ensured. When asked who would be part of this group, Trump said his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, had been in contact with Delcy Rodríguez, who served as Vice President under Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez became the first Venezuelan official to speak publicly after the U.S. attack, urging Washington to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife.

During a press conference, Trump stated that Rodríguez expressed willingness to do whatever the United States wants. Rodríguez and her brother Jorge, head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, have long been strong supporters of Maduro’s government. However, it is suggested that Rodríguez may have agreed to cooperate with the Trump administration to ensure her own safety.

The situation marks a significant shift in Venezuela’s internal power dynamics following the U.S. intervention, with uncertainty surrounding the future leadership structure and the fate of Maduro.

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will temporarily administer Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a military operation. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Trump said the operation took place overnight, disabling much of Caracas’s power supply and rendering Venezuela’s military capacity ineffective. He confirmed that no US troops were killed and no equipment was damaged, adding that helicopters, fighter jets, and a large number of soldiers participated, supported by the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team.

Trump stated that Venezuela would remain under US control until a safe and prudent power transition is completed. He warned of a possible second strike if necessary but said it was unlikely after the successful mission. Maduro faces drug and weapons charges, while Caracas accused Washington of seeking to seize oil and mineral resources. The US hinted at no further action against Caracas, though Venezuela declared a state of emergency.

The United Kingdom denied involvement in the attack, and Russia condemned the operation. Reports cited BBC, Al Jazeera, and Fox News as sources.

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.