Venezuela was plunged into deep political uncertainty on Friday after the United States announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and transferred to U.S. custody, a development that has upended power calculations in Caracas and sent shockwaves across the region.
The announcement, made by U.S. President Donald Trump, confirmed that American forces carried out strikes in Venezuela before detaining Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flying them to New York to face criminal charges. Trump said the operation marked the end of what Washington considers an illegitimate presidency and signalled the beginning of a transition process.
Within hours of the announcement, Venezuela’s government declared a national emergency, warning of “extremely serious military aggression” and accusing the United States of attempting to impose external control on the country. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, speaking on state television, rejected Washington’s claims and insisted that Maduro remains Venezuela’s only legitimate president.
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The sudden removal of Maduro has created a leadership vacuum, with competing claims to authority emerging. Opposition figures moved quickly to frame the moment as an opportunity for democratic change, while government loyalists rallied around Rodríguez, calling on security forces to remain unified and resist foreign intervention.
On the streets of Caracas, reactions were mixed. Some residents celebrated the news as the possible end of years of repression and economic hardship, while others expressed fear that the U.S. action could trigger violence, shortages and prolonged instability.
In Washington, Trump said the United States would temporarily oversee Venezuela’s affairs until what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition” is achieved, comments that drew immediate criticism from international observers and fuelled suspicions about U.S. intentions, particularly regarding Venezuela’s vast oil resources.
Maduro is expected to appear before a U.S. federal court in New York in the coming days on drugs and weapons charges he has long denied. His prosecution would be a rare case of a sitting head of state facing trial in another country’s domestic courts.
As governments around the world react and the United Nations prepares to weigh in, Venezuela now stands at a crossroads, with its political future hinging on how power is asserted, resisted or negotiated in the hours and days ahead.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
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