Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was sent to a New York prison yesterday, hours after his capture by the US commandos.
During pre-dawn air strikes in and around Caracas, special forces captured Maduro and his wife. A US plane carrying Maduro landed at a military base shortly after nightfall, and he was transported by helicopter to New York City.
US planned the prosecution of the Venezuelan President and his wife on drug trafficking and weapons charges.
As uncertainty prevails about what will happen after the successful raid, US President Donald Trump has hinted at controlling Venezuela through US-designated people.
Without giving any details, he stated that people from his cabinet will be in charge in Venezuela, the country with vast oil reserves.
“Washington is not afraid of boots on the ground, he stated in a clear indication of considering the option of deploying US troops in Venezuela. He also ruled out the possibility of the Venezuelan opposition coming into power, saying he would prefer to work with Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, who has already assumed power as acting President on the Supreme Court’s direction, demanded Maduro and wife’s release. She vowed to defend Venezuela.
Trump said that the US will encourage big oil companies to go and spend billions of dollars to fix broken infrastructure in Venezuela. “We’ll be selling large amounts of oil,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will convene an emergency meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026, to discuss US military operations in Venezuela and the capture of Maduro and his wife. The meeting will be held under the title: “Threats to International Peace and Security.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed the unprecedented attack a dangerous precedent.
