US forces seize Venezuela’s president and his spouse in a coordinated strike. American troops stormed Caracas, striking military installations before detaining President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Alfaro and air‑lifting them to New York, where prosecutors filed drug‑ and weapons‑related charges linking them to a violent cocaine‑smuggling network [1][2]. Both defendants entered not‑guilty pleas, with Maduro denying the allegations and claiming the operation is a pretext to oust him [1]. The capture marks the first time a sitting Latin American head of state has been taken by a foreign power in the 21st century [2].

World leaders issue mixed reactions emphasizing sovereignty and stability. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula denounced the raid as a breach of international law that could spark chaos across the region [2]. The European Union and United Nations called for a peaceful, legitimate transition while stressing respect for legal norms [2]. Argentina’s libertarian president Javier Milei praised the move as a triumph of freedom, whereas former U.S. President Donald Trump pledged that the United States will oversee a “safe, proper, and judicious” transition [2].

UK officials walk a tightrope between moral endorsement and legal caution. Conservative minister Kemi Badenoch declared the action morally justified, calling Maduro’s regime “brutal” and expressing relief at his removal, yet she admitted uncertainty about the legal basis and warned the precedent could strain the rules‑based order [1]. Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially said the UK would “shed no tears,” later emphasizing dialogue with U.S. counterparts and a commitment to a peaceful transition without rushing to judgment [2]. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reminded U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of his obligations under international law, reflecting parliamentary pressure for a clearer condemnation [1].

Trump asserts U.S. authority will persist until a legitimate government forms. The former president announced he would “run the country” until a proper transition occurs, positioning the United States as the interim steward of Venezuelan governance [1]. He framed the operation as necessary for regional stability and hinted at continued U.S. involvement in shaping the post‑Maduro political landscape [1]. This stance contrasts with broader international calls for a neutral, multilateral process.

Delcy Rodríguez assumes interim presidency amid uncertainty. Following Maduro’s removal, Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, a move that has drawn both domestic support from Maduro loyalists and external criticism for lacking democratic legitimacy [1]. The interim government faces immediate challenges, including managing sanctions, addressing the drug‑trafficking accusations, and navigating diplomatic pressure from the EU, UN, and neighboring states [2]. The situation remains fluid as opposition parties and civil society demand transparent elections and accountability for the U.S. operation.