In a bold statement on Saturday, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that his administration will maintain oversight of Venezuela "until a fair and orderly transition is accomplished," following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro during a military operation spearheaded by U.S. special forces.
From his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump stated, "We will oversee Venezuela until a fair transition is achieved," mere hours after confirming that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were apprehended in a night raid and subsequently moved to the USS Iwo Jima vessel.
According to the Department of Justice, the couple is set to be transported to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking and possession of weapons of war.
Trump monitored the real-time operation from Florida, while the CIA tracked the location of the Venezuelan leader using both an insider from within Maduro's government and aerial surveillance technology, as reported by The New York Times.
In Caracas, the atmosphere remains tense and uncertain. The Venezuelan regime has condemned the action as an "imperialist aggression" and claims ignorance of Maduro's whereabouts, amidst ongoing power outages and a military presence in strategic locations like Fuerte Tiuna.
Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado, who recently received the Nobel Peace Prize, stated that "Maduro will answer for his heinous crimes" and emphasized that Venezuela "stands ready to seize power." Trump also mentioned that his administration is considering recognizing Machado as a transitional figure in the Caribbean nation.
The capture of Maduro and his impending transfer to the United States marks a watershed moment, reshaping the political and diplomatic landscape of Latin America after two decades of Chavismo.
Call for National Unity and Freedom
Opposition leader María Corina Machado declared that "the time for freedom has come" and urged Venezuelans to remain organized for a democratic transition.
In a statement shared on social media, she called for the release of political prisoners, the restoration of institutional order, and the acknowledgment of Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
González echoed this sentiment, stating that "these are decisive hours" and that the opposition is "prepared for the grand task of national reconstruction." Both leaders encouraged Venezuelans, both domestically and abroad, to stay mobilized and vigilant throughout the transition process.
"Venezuela will be free. We walk hand in hand with God, until the very end," Machado concluded in her message.
Key Developments in Venezuela's Political Landscape
What does Trump's statement mean for Venezuela?
Trump's statement indicates a commitment by the U.S. to oversee and guide Venezuela through a fair and orderly transition of power, ensuring that democratic processes are respected and upheld.
How did the U.S. manage to capture Nicolás Maduro?
The U.S. special forces, assisted by the CIA and an internal source within Maduro's government, conducted a night raid operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
What are the charges against Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores?
Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are facing charges of drug trafficking and possession of weapons of war, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Justice.