Venezuelan Defence Minister General Vladimir Padrino reported that a significant portion of Nicolás Maduro's security team was killed during a US operation. Padrino announced that Venezuelan armed forces have been activated nationwide to secure sovereignty.
Senator Marco Rubio discussed the US position following Maduro's removal. He stated that the US would maintain an oil quarantine on sanctioned tankers, a measure in effect prior to Maduro's capture on Saturday. Rubio indicated this would serve as leverage to advocate for policy changes in Venezuela. This contrasted with President Trump's earlier statements that the US would temporarily "run" the nation.
On CBS' Face the Nation, Rubio clarified that President Trump's statements referred to the continued enforcement of the oil quarantine. Rubio stated, "We continue with that quarantine, and we expect to see that there will be changes, not just in the way the oil industry is run for the benefit of the people, but also so that they stop the drug trafficking." He added that the blockade on sanctioned oil tankers, some of which have been seized by the US, would remain in place, constituting leverage to achieve changes aligning with US national interests and a positive future for Venezuelans.
President Trump's statements regarding the US temporarily managing Venezuela were made at a Florida news conference on Saturday. Senator Rubio addressed criticisms of potential US foreign intervention, asserting that Trump's intent had been misinterpreted by elements of the foreign policy establishment. Rubio stated, "This is not the Middle East... Our mission here is very different. This is the Western Hemisphere."
Rubio indicated that the US would observe the actions of Maduro's subordinates currently in leadership. He stated that while he did not exclude a US military presence in Venezuela, the existing US force posture was sufficient to interdict drug boats and sanctioned tankers. President Trump had previously stated that the US would manage the country until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" could be executed, indicating his national security team, including Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, would oversee this period.
The White House offered no additional comment beyond President Trump's statements on Saturday.
Capture and Charges
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were extracted from their residence at a military base in Caracas during an overnight operation. Maduro landed at an airport in New York City's northern suburbs on Saturday afternoon (Sunday AEDT). Maduro's government characterized the action as "imperialist."
The couple faces US charges related to a narco-terrorism conspiracy. This operation followed a period of US administrative pressure on Maduro and multiple months of planning. Legal experts have raised questions regarding the operation's lawfulness due to the absence of congressional approval.
Upon arrival, Maduro was transported by helicopter to Manhattan. A convoy, including an armored vehicle, then transported him to a US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office. A video released by a White House social media account depicted Maduro being escorted by two DEA agents through the office. He is scheduled for an initial appearance in Manhattan's federal court on Monday.
Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were previously indicted in 2020 on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. On Saturday, the Justice Department issued a new indictment against Maduro and his wife, alleging his administration was supported by a drug-trafficking operation. The US government does not recognize Maduro as the leader of Venezuela.
For several months, the US administration had increased American military presence in the region and conducted operations targeting boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean suspected of drug trafficking. The CIA executed a drone strike last week at a docking area in Venezuela, identified as a possible site for Venezuelan drug cartel activity. This represented the first known direct operation on Venezuelan territory since the US campaign commenced in September.
Situation in Caracas
On Sunday, Caracas experienced reduced activity following the operation involving Maduro. Vehicle traffic was minimal, and most convenience stores, petrol stations, and other businesses were closed. A road typically used for recreation on Sundays showed a significantly lower number of individuals. The presidential palace was observed to be under the guard of armed civilians and military personnel. A nearby plaza contained a street sweeper and a soldier, and a church across the street remained closed.