In a dramatic escalation of tensions with Caracas, the United States has bombed Venezuela and overthrown its government, seizing President Nicolás Maduro and taking him to New York to face trial, US officials said on Saturday.
Maduro arrived Saturday evening at an American military base after being captured by US forces in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, following months of threats, sanctions and pressure tactics by Washington.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez strongly condemned the operation, calling it a “kidnapping” and insisting that Maduro remains “the only legitimate president of Venezuela.” She accused the United States of violating international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the operation and said Washington would now “run” Venezuela, citing the country’s vast oil reserves. However, he provided few details on how the United States plans to govern the South American nation or manage its resources.
The developments have sparked global concern. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said the US action set “a dangerous precedent” and warned of serious consequences for international order. The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet on Monday to discuss the situation.
The takeover marks one of the most direct US interventions in Latin America in decades and has raised fears of wider regional instability, as well as sharp diplomatic fallout between Washington and its rivals.
