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The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces has triggered a fast-moving international crisis, with world leaders sharply divided and emergency diplomatic talks now underway.
U.S. officials confirmed in the past few hours that Maduro and his wife remain in American custody following a dramatic overnight military operation inside Venezuela. President Donald Trump said the couple surrendered without resistance and were flown out of the country, describing the operation as one of the most significant U.S. military actions in recent history.
Trump has doubled down on his claim that the United States will temporarily oversee Venezuela’s transition, saying Washington will remain involved “until stability is restored.” He warned that further military action remains an option if U.S. forces or interests are threatened.
The move has drawn immediate international backlash.
Spain said it will not recognize the U.S. intervention, arguing that while it does not support Maduro’s rule, the operation violates international law and risks plunging the region into deeper instability. Venezuela and Colombia, backed by Russia and China, formally requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, accusing the United States of launching an armed attack on Venezuelan territory.
France welcomed Maduro’s removal but urged restraint, calling for a peaceful, democratic transition that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people. Other Latin American governments have issued cautious statements, warning that the situation could escalate rapidly.
Inside Venezuela, uncertainty remains high. U.S. officials said the operation involved air, sea and ground forces, with strikes on key infrastructure and military targets. Parts of Caracas were left without power during the raid, and security forces have since been deployed across the capital.
While no official transition authority has been announced, Trump said U.S. officials are already in contact with Venezuelan leaders willing to cooperate. He also confirmed that American oil companies are expected to play a role in Venezuela’s future, a statement that has added fuel to criticism that the operation goes beyond security concerns.
As diplomatic tensions rise and the U.N. prepares to intervene, the arrest of Maduro has pushed Venezuela and U.S. foreign policy into uncharted territory, with consequences still unfolding by the hour.
*Source: Reuters, The Guardian
