In a dramatic turn of events, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces this past Sunday in a surprise night-time raid on his military base in Caracas. The high-stakes operation, codenamed “Southern Spear,” also saw the apprehension of his wife, Cilia Flores, bringing an end to his controversial leadership.
Maduro was swiftly transported to New York City, where he was taken to the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) headquarters in Manhattan. Footage shows a surprisingly composed Maduro, even offering a calm “Good night, Happy New Year” to the DEA officers escorting him. He and Flores are now expected to face severe charges in federal court, including narcoterrorism, cocaine trafficking, and weapons offenses related to his alleged leadership of the “Cartel of the Suns.” A $15 million reward had previously been offered for his arrest.
The raid itself was not without incident, with Caracas residents reporting multiple explosions and casualties, as confirmed by acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
Following the successful operation, former President Trump made a significant announcement: the US administration would assume interim responsibility for governing Venezuela. Trump stated that US forces would remain to oversee a “proper transition” and plans were underway to deploy American oil companies to revive Venezuela’s struggling energy sector. This marks the most direct US military intervention in the region in nearly four decades. While some Venezuelan opposition figures have praised the move, regional leaders have condemned it as a violation of international law. The future of Venezuela hangs in the balance as this new chapter unfolds.
