In a pre-dawn operation executed on Saturday, U.S. special forces launched a decisive raid in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The high-stakes action signifies a significant step up in American intervention against drug trafficking in Latin America.
Following the raid, Maduro and Flores were swiftly extradited to New York, where they now face longstanding drug trafficking charges. Maduro appeared in Manhattan federal court on Monday, prompting protests outside the courthouse.
In a statement aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would assume responsibility for Venezuela's restoration. Emphasizing the need to repair Venezuela's crumbling oil infrastructure, the President announced, "We're in charge. We're going to run it, fix it."
President Trump criticized the nationalization of American oil assets in Venezuela as "the greatest theft in the history of America," vowing that U.S. oil companies would return to rebuild the dilapidated system.
Amid these developments, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's interim leader, signaled a readiness to forge "respectful relations" with Washington, indicating a potential shift towards diplomatic engagement.
However, the operation has not been without its detractors. Senior Russian senator Alexei Pushkov denounced the American actions, accusing the U.S. of reverting to "savage imperialism" and cautioning about the potential for disastrous outcomes.
The incident also intensified tensions with Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro, responding to accusations from Trump concerning cocaine production, issued a bold challenge: "Come get me. I’m waiting for you here." Petro's defiance underscores a complex relationship with American policies in the region, as he advocates for intelligence collaboration over violent interventions.
President Trump, meanwhile, has maintained a hard stance on Latin American leaders involved in drug trafficking. His comments directed at Petro followed the controversial pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who had been sentenced for drug trafficking offenses. Trump defended his decision, claiming Hernández was "persecuted very unfairly."
In separate diplomatic efforts, President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, signaling ongoing high-level talks despite tensions elsewhere.
