US President Donald Trump stated that Venezuelan authorities were aware of the operation intended to capture their leader, Nicolas Maduro.
On January 5, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president following a decision by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on January 4.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro appeared before a New York Federal Court on January 5 to face charges. During the court proceedings, he asserted his innocence and maintained that he remained the legitimate president of Venezuela. The U.S. court scheduled consular visits to Venezuela and set March 17 for a hearing where Maduro must appear.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced on January 5 that the United States had violated international law in Venezuela. He also expressed deep concern over the uncertain future of the nation following the US operation.
Russia’s representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, criticized U.S. actions on January 5, stating they were advancing neocolonialism and imperialism—a stance he said was rejected by the region’s peoples. Nebenzia urged that international issues be addressed through UN mechanisms and called for an end to double standards.
On January 3, President Trump declared the United States had conducted a large-scale strike against Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, and removing them from Venezuelan territory. The Russian Foreign Ministry promptly demanded the U.S. release Maduro.
