Hours after a bold U.S. military mission removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power and escorted him out of the country on Saturday, his vice-president demanded Maduro’s release and asserted his position as the legitimate leader of Venezuela. The operation, marked by explosions and low-flying aircraft in Caracas early Saturday, was condemned by Maduro’s government as an “imperialist attack,” prompting calls for public support.
Maduro and his wife were apprehended at their residence on a military base and subsequently transported to a U.S. warship before being flown to New York City to face charges related to a narco-terrorism conspiracy. Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed casualties among Venezuelan civilians and military personnel.
According to Venezuelan law, Rodriguez would succeed Maduro, but she clarified during a televised address on Saturday that she had no intentions of assuming power. She instead advocated for Maduro’s release and affirmed his presidency. Despite claims by President Trump that Rodriguez had taken the presidential oath and expressed willingness to collaborate with the U.S., Rodriguez did not declare herself as acting president or discuss any political transition in her televised speech.
Trump’s assertion of U.S. involvement in governing Venezuela was not immediately evident, as Venezuelan state TV continued broadcasting pro-Maduro content. The operation, which Trump described as a successful warning against threats to American sovereignty, concluded a prolonged effort by the U.S. administration to pressure Venezuela. The legal basis for the operation was not explicitly stated, although the Trump administration justified it as a measure to combat drug trafficking and exploit the leadership vacuum to enhance Venezuela’s oil sector and increase oil exports.
The Venezuelan constitution mandates that a new election be held within a month of the president’s absence. However, given the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s removal and the contentious U.S. intervention, the succession process remains a topic of debate among experts and political figures in Venezuela.