标签： North America

In a dramatic escalation of international tensions, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez delivered a defiant national address on Saturday, emphatically declaring Nicolás Maduro as “the only president” of the Bolivarian Republic. The statement came hours after U.S. forces launched an unprecedented military operation against the South American nation, resulting in the capture and extraction of President Maduro and his wife.

Speaking through state-run television channels with key cabinet members including the Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs, Rodríguez issued a stern demand for the immediate release of the detained Venezuelan leaders. She characterized the pre-dawn operation as a violation of international law and national sovereignty, urging citizens to maintain composure while rallying behind the constitutional government.

‘The Venezuelan people must remain steadfast in defending our nation’s independence,’ Rodríguez asserted during her nationally televised appearance. ‘We will never transform into any nation’s colonial possession or become subservient to imperial powers.’

The vice president framed the incident as a regional security concern, warning that similar interventions could potentially target other sovereign states in Latin America. She emphasized Venezuela’s preparedness to protect its substantial natural resources from foreign exploitation.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump conducted a press conference confirming the military action, controversially claiming that Rodríguez had already assumed presidential powers and engaged in discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. ‘She has demonstrated willingness to implement necessary measures to restore Venezuela’s greatness,’ Trump told White House reporters.

The international community has responded with widespread condemnation, with multiple nations and organizations expressing profound alarm over the unilateral use of military force against a sovereign government. Diplomatic channels are actively seeking resolution to the escalating crisis that threatens to destabilize regional geopolitics.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores have been transported to United States territory following a dramatic military operation conducted by American forces on Venezuelan soil. The controversial capture operation, which Venezuelan officials have denounced as a flagrant violation of national sovereignty, culminated in the couple’s arrival at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York aboard a US government aircraft on Saturday.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi has confirmed that the Venezuelan leader and his spouse will face multiple federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States, and international drug trafficking offenses. The case represents an unprecedented escalation in the long-standing tensions between Washington and Caracas.

Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez issued an urgent demand for ‘proof of life’ documentation, stating that the government had lost contact with the presidential couple following the cross-border military intervention. The operation marks one of the most significant applications of US judicial authority against a sitting head of state in recent history.

The defendants are expected to be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn pending their initial court appearance, which judicial sources indicate could occur as early as Monday. Legal experts anticipate this case will raise complex questions regarding international law, diplomatic immunity, and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores have arrived at a military installation in New York following their apprehension during a significant military operation conducted by United States forces in Venezuela. The controversial capture occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing political tensions between Washington and Caracas.

According to verified reports from multiple media outlets, the presidential aircraft touched down at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, on January 3, 2026. The arrival precedes their scheduled appearance at the Manhattan federal court system, though specific charges remain undisclosed at this time.

The Venezuelan government has responded with vehement opposition to the extraordinary military action. Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez, speaking during an emergency session of the National Defense Council broadcast nationally on state television, formally demanded the “immediate release” of both President Maduro and the First Lady. The broadcast emphasized the administration’s position that the capture represents a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.

This development occurs against the backdrop of increasingly strained diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela, which have deteriorated significantly over recent years due to political differences, sanctions, and allegations of authoritarian governance. The military intervention to apprehend a sitting head of state establishes an unprecedented chapter in Western Hemisphere relations, with potential implications for international diplomacy norms.

Security analysts suggest the operation likely required extensive planning and intelligence coordination, though official details regarding the execution remain classified. International observers are monitoring reactions from global powers and regional partners throughout Latin America, with many anticipating strong responses from nations traditionally aligned with Venezuela’s government.

The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an urgent meeting for Monday morning to address the rapidly developing situation in Venezuela following a military operation conducted by the United States. According to an official statement from the council’s presidency, the emergency session will commence at 10:00 AM Eastern Time (1500 GMT) at UN headquarters in New York.

Khadija Ahmed, spokesperson for the Somali Permanent Mission to the United Nations, confirmed the meeting arrangements. Somalia currently holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council for January 2026, placing the East African nation at the center of diplomatic efforts regarding this international crisis.

The emergency session was prompted by Saturday’s dramatic developments in Caracas, where US forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. This operation represents a significant escalation in the long-standing political confrontation between Washington and the Maduro administration, which the United States and several other nations have consistently refused to recognize as Venezuela’s legitimate government.

The upcoming Security Council meeting is expected to feature heated debates among the fifteen member states, particularly between the United States and its allies and those nations that have maintained diplomatic relations with Maduro’s government. The discussion will likely focus on the legality of the military intervention, its implications for international norms regarding sovereignty, and the potential consequences for regional stability in Latin America.

This extraordinary session marks one of the first major international diplomatic responses to the operation and could set the tone for how the global community addresses similar situations in the future. The outcome of Monday’s meeting may influence subsequent actions by regional organizations including the Organization of American States and could determine the political trajectory of Venezuela’s leadership crisis.

In a dramatic escalation of hemispheric tensions, President Donald Trump has announced the United States will establish temporary administrative control over Venezuela following a military operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The unprecedented declaration came during a press conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on January 3, 2026, flanked by top defense and diplomatic officials.

Trump asserted that American oversight would continue until a ‘safe, proper and judicious transition’ could be implemented, explicitly not ruling out the deployment of ground troops during this interim period. The president characterized the operation as remarkably successful, suggesting additional military action might be unnecessary while simultaneously warning of readiness to escalate if required.

The administration’s financial justification drew immediate attention, with Trump claiming the intervention ‘won’t cost us a penny’ due to anticipated reimbursement from Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves. He further outlined plans for American energy companies to reconstruct the nation’s damaged infrastructure under US supervision.

This unilateral action triggered swift international condemnation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm through spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, warning the operation established ‘a dangerous precedent’ that violated fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Global reactions mounted rapidly. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez declared his nation would not recognize an intervention that ‘violates international law and pushes the region toward uncertainty and belligerence.’ Venezuela and Colombia formally requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, with Venezuelan Ambassador Samuel Moncada denouncing the operation as a ‘deadly and treacherous military attack’ against a peaceful nation.

China voiced profound shock and strong condemnation, characterizing US actions as hegemonic acts that seriously violate international law and Venezuelan sovereignty. Russia demanded Maduro’s immediate release and urged Washington to reconsider its position, emphasizing dialogue as the proper mechanism for conflict resolution.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot joined the criticism, stating that ‘no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside’ and that only sovereign people can determine their future. Legal experts from Chatham House reinforced these concerns, noting the operation collided with the UN Charter’s baseline prohibition on using force as national policy without either Security Council authorization or circumstances of self-defense against armed attack.

In a highly provocative move, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly shared an image depicting captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima. The photograph, disseminated via Trump’s Truth Social platform on Saturday, January 3, 2026, shows the detained leader blindfolded, wearing headphones and dark glasses, and dressed in casual sweats while holding a water bottle, with his hands apparently restrained.

This digital disclosure occurred moments after Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez formally demanded verifiable proof that Maduro and his wife remained alive following their capture during a U.S. military operation. The post preceded a scheduled press briefing by Trump, which commenced approximately thirty minutes behind its announced 8:00 PM UAE time slot.

Earlier confirmations via Fox News interviews revealed that Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were indeed detained during overnight operations and are currently being transported to New York aboard the naval vessel. Attorney General Pam Bondi substantiated that the couple will face formal charges in the Southern District of New York upon arrival.

Trump elaborated on the complexity of the capture operation, describing Maduro’s residence as a heavily fortified ‘fortress.’ In a revealing detail, he noted that U.S. forces constructed an exact replica of the Venezuelan presidential residence—complete with identical security features and vaults—to meticulously plan and execute the high-stakes mission.

Senior Venezuelan officials have issued forceful condemnations of what they characterize as an unprovoked US military aggression against sovereign territory. The coordinated statements emerged on Saturday following reported attacks on multiple locations including the capital Caracas and surrounding states.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, appearing on state television, revealed that President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores’ current whereabouts remain unknown, demanding immediate proof of life from US authorities. She confirmed significant casualties among both military personnel and civilians across Caracas, Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira regions following overnight operations.

‘The United States has violated international norms through this cowardly assault on our sleeping nation,’ Rodriguez stated. ‘No external force possesses the authority to impose its will upon the Venezuelan people or compromise our sovereign integrity.’

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello characterized the offensive as a ‘sneaky, vile attack’ targeting defenseless civilians, urging citizens to maintain composure despite provocations. ‘We must not yield to despair or facilitate the objectives of these invading terrorists,’ he emphasized during a national address.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab accused the US government of bearing full responsibility for the safety of Maduro and his wife, labeling the operation as ‘imperial aggression against innocent civilian targets.’ He cautioned citizens against psychological warfare tactics while affirming that the president’s prior warnings about foreign intervention had materialized into ‘bloody reality.’

The unified government response framed the incident as justification for Venezuela’s longstanding anti-imperialist stance, calling for international recognition of sovereignty violations. Officials repeatedly emphasized civilian casualties while urging population-wide vigilance against further provocations.