Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reportedly been captured and transported to New York, where he is now in U.S. federal custody, following a rapid overnight military operation that has shocked the world.
📸 Former President Donald Trump released an image showing Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima, allegedly blindfolded.
🇺🇸 TRUMP’S PRESS CONFERENCE — KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Trump called the mission
“one of the most stunning, effective, and powerful displays of American military might in history.”
🔹 U.S. will temporarily administer Venezuela until a transition of power
🔹 Trump says he is “not afraid of boots on the ground”
🔹 Warning issued of a second, larger military strike if required
🔹 Plans announced to exploit Venezuela’s oil reserves for global markets
🔹 Trump also warned that “something is going to have to be done with Mexico,” citing cartel control
⚔️ OPERATION “ABSOLUTE RESOLVE”
🔹 Final approval given Friday at 10:46 PM ET
🔹 150+ aircraft launched from 20 bases across the Western Hemisphere
🔹 Delta Force team entered Venezuela flying just 100 feet above sea level
🔹 Mission completed in under 30 minutes
🔹 Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores captured and extracted
🏛️ MADURO’S CURRENT STATUS
🔹 Arrived at Stewart International Airport (NY) under FBI & DEA escort
🔹 Detained at Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn
🔹 Federal arraignment expected Monday in Manhattan
🔹 Charges reportedly include:
Narco-terrorism conspiracy
Cocaine importation conspiracy
Illegal weapons possession
🌍 INTERNATIONAL REACTION
🇧🇷 Brazil: Lula condemns action as a “dangerous precedent”
🇨🇳 China: Calls it a blatant violation of international law
🇲🇽 Mexico: Says the strike breaches the U.N. Charter
🇷🇺 Russia: Labels it an unacceptable assault on sovereignty
🇨🇴 Colombia: Deploys troops to border amid refugee fears
🇻🇪 Venezuelan Opposition: María Corina Machado declares,
“Venezuelans, the hour of freedom has arrived.”
🔮 WHAT COMES NEXT
🔹 Maduro faces trial in U.S. federal court
🔹 GOP lawmakers hint Cuba and Nicaragua could be next
🔹 U.N. Secretary-General warns of regional instability
🔹 Nationwide protests planned across the U.S.
❗ WHY THIS MATTERS
This marks the largest U.S. military intervention in Latin America since Panama (1989). Trump’s declaration that the U.S. will “run Venezuela” and control its oil resources has triggered global alarm over sovereignty, escalation, and long-term occupation risks.
⚠️ Situation developing. More updates expected.