Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was apprehended in Caracas on Saturday and subsequently transported to a federal courtroom in New York, sparking international reactions and a special session of the United Nations Security Council. Concurrently, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president in Venezuela, amidst reports of heightened security operations and the detention of at least 14 journalists covering events in the capital. These developments were accompanied by a surge of AI-generated misinformation on social media and separate comments by former US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland.
Apprehension and Legal Proceedings of Nicolás Maduro
Nicolás Maduro was apprehended in Caracas on Saturday morning following a US operation. He was transported to a Manhattan federal courtroom in New York, appearing on Monday. During his court appearance, Mr. Maduro was not handcuffed but was constrained by ankle shackles. He greeted the public gallery, stating in English, "Happy new year!" and later declared, "Soy inocente" (I am innocent) during the proceedings. His wife, Cilia Flores, was present and reportedly appeared with facial injuries.
International Reactions and UN Security Council Session
The events led to an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Several countries, including Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Eritrea, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Spain, expressed concerns or criticism regarding the US action in Venezuela. Brazil's ambassador to the UN, Sérgio França Danese, characterized "the bombings and capture" as crossing an "unacceptable line" and setting a "dangerous precedent."
The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, defended the operation, stating it was a legitimate "law enforcement" action carried out to execute criminal indictments against an individual described as an "illegitimate" leader, rather than an act of war. UN Secretary-General António Guterres conveyed deep concern about potential instability within Venezuela, the regional implications, and the precedent the situation could set for international relations.
Political Transition in Venezuela
Amidst these developments, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president in Venezuela. Following her inauguration, Ms. Rodríguez stated a willingness to cooperate with the Trump administration, which had previously expressed intentions regarding Venezuela's governance.
Detention of Journalists and Media Restrictions
On Monday, at least 14 members of the press were detained while covering political events in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. The National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) reported that 13 of those detained were employed by foreign news organizations. Most were released later the same day, with one foreign journalist subsequently deported. Venezuelan authorities have historically imposed restrictions on foreign media operations, including limitations on visa issuance for foreign journalists.
The detentions occurred at locations including the National Assembly, its surrounding areas, and the Altamira neighborhood. Agents from Venezuela's military counterintelligence agency detained at least two individuals, while others were held by the national intelligence service. Reports from the union indicated that equipment was searched, phones were checked, and social media posts and messages were reviewed during these detentions. Additionally, a Colombian and a Spanish reporter were detained at the Venezuela-Colombia border near Cúcuta. These two individuals were held incommunicado for several hours before being released back into Colombia. The SNTP also called for the release of 23 other media workers reportedly remaining in detention within the country.
Increased Security Presence in Caracas
Reports from Caracas residents described a broader increase in security presence across the city on Monday. In the Petare neighborhood, a community leader observed armed individuals patrolling and inspecting personal electronic devices. Another resident noted a visible presence of police, military personnel, and armed civilian groups, known as "colectivos," on the streets, with residents reporting a prevailing climate of apprehension. Some individuals expressed concerns about discussing events freely.
Government members acknowledged the visibility of security forces. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello posted a photo of himself with armed police on Monday night. Observers critical of the government described military personnel at various locations and armed civilian groups supporting the government. Information dissemination was reported to be restricted, with uniformed personnel observed stopping individuals and inspecting their mobile phones.
Surge of AI-Generated Misinformation
Following an early Saturday announcement by Donald Trump concerning a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela, social media platforms experienced an influx of false and misleading AI-generated images and videos. This fabricated content included images purporting to show Mr. Maduro being escorted by US agents, visuals of celebratory Venezuelans, and videos depicting missile strikes on Caracas. This artificial content circulated alongside authentic footage of US aircraft and explosions, complicating efforts to verify information. NewsGuard, a fact-checking site, reported that these AI-generated images were viewed and shared millions of times across various platforms.
Remarks on Greenland
Subsequent to the operations in Venezuela, Donald Trump made a statement that the United States needs Greenland "very badly." This remark drew responses from Greenlandic and Danish officials. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen noted that Greenland is not comparable to Venezuela. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioned that any US attack on a NATO ally would signify the end of the military alliance and "post-second world war security."