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US forces seize Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro
Venezuela's president, Nicolás Maduro, was captured by US military forces on Saturday and flown out of the country following a series of airstrikes on Caracas. The operation marks a rare direct US intervention in Latin America and has sparked immediate questions about the future of Venezuela's government.
The fall of Maduro
Maduro, who once controlled Venezuela's electoral system, judiciary, and military, was seen in images circulated by US officials wearing a grey tracksuit, his hands bound and eyes blindfolded, as he was transported to detention in the United States. The US has long accused him of leading a criminal enterprise, including drug trafficking and illegal mining, charges he has consistently denied.
In 2020, United Nations investigators reported that Maduro's government had committed crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances. Human rights groups have documented hundreds of political prisoners in Venezuela, many detained during anti-government protests.
A dramatic escalation
The US operation, which involved airstrikes on military infrastructure in Caracas, represents a significant escalation in Washington's engagement in the region. The last comparable US military intervention in Latin America occurred in 1989, when the US invaded Panama to remove then-leader Manuel Noriega, framing the action as part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking.
This latest intervention follows months of heightened US military activity in the region, including the deployment of thousands of troops, warplanes, and the world's largest warship. The US has conducted dozens of strikes on alleged drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 110 deaths.
Uncertainty over Venezuela's future
US President Donald Trump announced that the US would now "run" Venezuela but did not clarify what that entailed. He suggested that Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, might play a role in a negotiated transition, despite her long-standing ties to the regime. Trump also dismissed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and former ally, as lacking sufficient support in Venezuela.
Machado, who was barred from running in the 2024 elections, has called for opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez to assume the presidency. Celebrations erupted among some Venezuelans, both inside the country and abroad, who view Maduro's removal as a step toward ending authoritarian rule. However, others remain deeply skeptical of US intervention, citing Washington's history of backing coups that led to dictatorships and human rights abuses.
Regional and domestic reactions
While some US officials have hailed the operation as a victory, regional powers like Brazil and Colombia have expressed opposition to military intervention. Within the US, some of Trump's supporters have criticized the move, arguing it contradicts his "America First" agenda.
Venezuela's government has long accused the US of seeking to control its vast oil reserves, an allegation that gained traction after the US seized two Venezuelan oil tankers earlier this year. The strikes and Maduro's capture have intensified fears of a prolonged power struggle, given the regime's control over the military and armed paramilitary groups known as "colectivos."
What comes next?
Trump has not ruled out further military action, stating that he is prepared to put "boots on the ground" if necessary. Key questions remain unanswered: Will the US push for new elections? Will it target other senior officials for prosecution? And how will Maduro's allies, many of whom face potential persecution, respond?
For now, Venezuela's future hangs in the balance, with the country's political landscape more volatile than ever.
