标签： North America

In a dramatic constitutional response to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s Supreme Court of Justice has mandated Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to immediately assume the powers of acting head of state. The judicial order, announced late Saturday by Magistrate Tania D’Amelio through national broadcast networks, represents a significant escalation in the ongoing political crisis.

The court’s ruling explicitly condemns what it characterizes as an unlawful military incursion by United States forces that resulted in Maduro’s apprehension and subsequent transfer to New York alongside his wife, Cilia Flores. The judicial body declared these actions constitute a flagrant violation of both Venezuelan constitutional law and international statutes, including the United Nations Charter.

In its strongly-worded decision, the court asserted that the operation appears designed to facilitate foreign appropriation of Venezuela’s strategic natural resources. The judiciary has called for national unity in defending Venezuelan sovereignty while appealing for regional solidarity to preserve stability throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

Rodríguez, who concurrently serves as the nation’s Oil Minister, now faces the formidable challenge of leading a government in crisis while navigating complex international tensions. The political transition occurs against the backdrop of widespread international concern regarding the unprecedented cross-border military operation that precipitated this constitutional succession.

In an unprecedented geopolitical development, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been transferred to United States custody following his capture during American military operations this past Saturday. Video documentation has emerged showing Maduro’s arrival on US soil and his subsequent processing by law enforcement authorities in New York.

The operation represents a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas, which have persisted through multiple administrations. Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, faces numerous charges in US courts, including allegations of drug trafficking, corruption, and human rights violations.

This extraordinary event marks one of the most dramatic moments in US-Latin American relations in recent decades, with potential ramifications for regional diplomacy, international law, and the principle of sovereign immunity. The transfer of a sitting head of state to another country’s jurisdiction without extradition proceedings establishes a remarkable precedent in international relations.

Analysts are closely monitoring reactions from Venezuela’s political allies, including Russia, China, and Cuba, who have consistently supported Maduro’s government. The situation continues to develop as legal experts examine the complex jurisdictional questions raised by this unprecedented action.

In an unprecedented geopolitical development, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores have been transported to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, following their capture during a large-scale American military operation in Venezuela. The dramatic events unfolded early Saturday morning, marking one of the most significant international incidents in recent history.

According to multiple intelligence reports and verified video evidence, the military aircraft transporting the Venezuelan leadership touched down at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, approximately at 5:00 PM EST (2200 GMT) on Saturday. The operation represents a dramatic escalation in the ongoing tensions between the United States and the Venezuelan government.

The United States Department of Justice has unsealed a comprehensive indictment detailing serious charges against President Maduro and several associates. The allegations include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and multiple weapons-related charges involving machine guns and destructive devices. Legal proceedings are scheduled to commence next week in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The extraordinary military action has triggered immediate international backlash and domestic criticism. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revealed he had directly contacted President Donald Trump to express vehement opposition to what he characterized as an unlawful pursuit of regime change that violates both federal and international statutes. Demonstrators gathered outside the Newburgh air base to protest the US intervention in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, in Caracas, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez convened an emergency session of the National Defense Council, demanding the immediate release of the detained leadership. The session was broadcast nationally on state television, signaling the Venezuelan government’s determination to maintain continuity of governance amid the crisis.

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA – January 3, 2026, witnessed significant demonstrations outside the United States Embassy in Colombia’s capital, as protesters gathered to express solidarity with Venezuela following a dramatic military escalation. The protests emerged in direct response to early morning operations conducted by US military forces against Venezuelan targets, which reportedly resulted in the capture and extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Demonstrators, carrying signs and Venezuelan flags, congregated in Bogota to condemn what they characterized as an act of international aggression. The gathering reflected deep-seated regional tensions and differing ideological alignments within South America regarding the Venezuelan political crisis. Photographic evidence from the scene captured emotionally charged moments, including a woman holding a placard that articulated the protesters’ demands for sovereignty and non-intervention.

This development marks a severe intensification of the longstanding political confrontation between the United States and Venezuela, potentially altering the geopolitical landscape of Latin America. The embassy protests underscore how international conflicts can galvanize diaspora communities and sympathetic groups across borders, transforming diplomatic premises into focal points for political expression.

In the predawn hours of Saturday, a seismic shift in Venezuelan politics unfolded as U.S. special forces executed a dramatic operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro from his compound. The event triggered spontaneous celebrations across Miami’s Venezuelan diaspora, particularly in Doral where over 40% of residents claim Venezuelan heritage.

For Rosana Mateos, a Florida resident since 2012, the news realized years of recurring dreams about Maduro’s downfall. “My husband woke me saying they caught Maduro. I couldn’t believe it,” she recounted, describing the emotional moment she learned of the development many Venezuelan exiles had long anticipated.

The epicenter of celebrations emerged at El Arepazo restaurant, where hundreds gathered by noon with flags, music, and car horns creating a festival atmosphere. Bryan Marquez, who emigrated just two years ago from Tachira state, struggled to articulate his emotions: “We suffered under them. It was humiliating. That’s why so many of us left.”

Many attendees credited U.S. President Donald Trump for enabling their longed-for political change. “It’s an indescribable feeling,” Marquez added. “He’s really helped us… I don’t know what to say, except thank you.”

Yet beneath the celebrations simmered uncertainties about Venezuela’s political future. Trump’s press conference remarks created confusion, particularly his statement that the U.S. “is going to run Venezuela through a team that’s working with the people,” and his dismissal of opposition leader María Corina Machado’s governing capabilities.

Mateos expressed strong objections to any continued involvement of Maduro regime figures: “We do not accept a government of Delcy Rodriguez, or anyone that was part of the Maduro regime. They are dirty and corrupt.”

Some analysts within the community suggested Trump might need to maintain temporary oversight. “Donald Trump will have to do it for now,” commented marketing professional Elkin, who predicted the U.S. president would “move Venezuela towards a more inclusive transition.”

The events marked both a culmination of exile aspirations and the beginning of new political uncertainties for Venezuela’s future.