WORLD & GLOBAL NEWS
U.S. Military Raid in Caracas Sparks Global Shock as Venezuela’s Vice President Rejects Washington’s Claims, Demands Maduro’s Release, and Declares National Resistance
Venezuela was thrown into deep political and security turmoil after Vice President Delcy Rodríguez delivered a defiant nationwide broadcast in the aftermath of a United States military operation that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The dramatic operation, which unfolded in Caracas, combined aerial bombardment with a coordinated ground raid. U.S. President Donald Trump later described the action as a large-scale strike aimed at apprehending Maduro to face charges related to narco-terrorism and international drug trafficking.
Addressing the nation shortly after the development, Rodríguez, who is next in the constitutional line of succession and has been sworn in as interim president, firmly rejected any form of cooperation with Washington. She maintained that Maduro remains the only legitimate president of Venezuela and demanded his immediate and unconditional release, along with that of his wife.
She characterized the U.S. operation as an unprecedented act of military aggression against a sovereign nation, describing it as a kidnapping and a brutal assault designed to force regime change and gain control of Venezuela’s vast natural resources, particularly its oil reserves.
According to her, the strikes represented a grave violation of international law and a dangerous escalation that must be condemned by the global community.
Rodríguez called on Venezuelans to remain calm but united, stressing that both the government and the people were prepared to defend the country’s independence, sovereignty, and natural wealth. She insisted that Venezuela would never submit to foreign domination or allow itself to become a colony, declaring that its citizens would never be reduced to servants of any external power.
Her remarks directly contradicted earlier statements from President Trump, who had claimed during a press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago residence that Rodríguez had agreed to work with the United States to temporarily administer Venezuela and oversee a political transition, including the management of the country’s oil resources. Trump also issued warnings that officials who remained loyal to Maduro would face serious consequences.
The operation and its aftermath have triggered sharply divided reactions across the international community. While some world leaders have openly welcomed Maduro’s removal, others, including the United Nations Secretary-General, have criticized the action as a dangerous precedent that undermines international norms and sovereignty.
Within Venezuela, supporters of Maduro have taken to the streets in rallies denouncing the U.S. action, as authorities announced a nationwide state of emergency. At the same time, opposition figures have voiced cautious optimism, viewing the unfolding events as a potential turning point after years of political and economic crisis.
As tensions continue to rise, the situation remains highly fluid. There has been no confirmation of a sustained U.S. military presence in Venezuela beyond the initial operation, while reports indicate that Maduro is being transported to the United States to face trial. The coming days are expected to be critical in determining the country’s political future and the broader regional implications of the unprecedented intervention.