Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.
Credit: Reuters Photo
Switzerland freezes assets linked to Venezuela's Maduro after US arrest (Reuters)
Switzerland has frozen any assets held in the country by Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and associates, the Federal Council said on Monday, following his arrest by US forces in Caracas and transfer to the United States.
The measure, effective immediately and valid for four years, aims to prevent an outflow of potentially illicit assets and is in addition to existing sanctions imposed on Venezuela since 2018, the statement said. (Reuters)
Iran calls for release of Venezuela's Maduro, reports AFP
Iran says relations with Venezuela unchanged by ousting of Maduro (AFP)
Venezuela acting president seeks US govt collaboration
China urges immediate release of Maduro after US attack on Venezuela
China's foreign ministry on Monday reiterated Beijing's stance on the situation after the US attack on Venezuela and called for the immediate release of President Nicolas Maduro.
China is gravely concerned over the US capture of Maduro and his wife and is closely following the security situation, ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular press briefing. (Reuters)
'Want to prioritise moving towards balanced, respectful international relations with US,' says Venezuela acting president
Venezuela acting president invites US govt to collaborate on an agenda of cooperation (Reuters)
Maduro set to appear in US court to face narco-terrorism charges
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is set to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday to face narco-terrorism charges, days after his capture by the US military sparked deep uncertainty about the oil-rich South American nation’s future. Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been jailed in Brooklyn after US forces seized them from Caracas in a surprise weekend raid. They are both set to appear at the hearing scheduled for 12:00 pm EST (1700 GMT ) before US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein. It is unclear if either had obtained lawyers, or if they would enter pleas.
(Reuters)
Venezuela's interim leader names commission to handle Maduro's release
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez on Sunday created a commission to seek the release of president Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were removed from power by US forces in Caracas.
Rodriguez tapped her brother Jorge, president of the National Assembly, and Foreign Minister Yvan Gil to co-chair the commission. (AFP)
Venezuela's Maduro to appear in US court, Trump says further strikes possible
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was due to appear in a US court on Monday after his weekend capture by American forces, with US President Donald Trump leaving open the possibility of another incursion if the United States doesn't get its way with Venezuela's interim government. Trump told reporters on Sunday that he could order another strike if Venezuela does not cooperate with US efforts to open up its oil industry and stop drug trafficking.
(Reuters)
Trump bets on intimidation to force Venezuelan leaders into line
After removing President Nicolas Maduro from power, the Trump administration is gambling that it can intimidate the Venezuelan leader's inner circle into toeing the US line with threats of further military action that could put them at risk of a similar fate, according to sources familiar with the matter. The United States would consider another military operation in Venezuela if the interim government in the South American nation did not cooperate, US President Donald Trump said on Sunday.
(Reuters)
Trump says Venezuela's VP could face fate worse than Maduro if she doesn't go along with US (AP reports)
US won't govern Venezuela but will press for changes through oil blockade: Rubio
'We’ve got to have peace on this earth,' says Trump when asked whether Operation Absolute Resolve was about oil or regime change in Venezuela
Cuba says 32 of its citizens killed in Maduro extraction
32 Cubans killed in US raid in Venezuela: Havana
Trump says 'a lot of Cubans' killed in US operation against Maduro, reports AFP
Venezuela acting president holds first cabinet meeting since Maduro's ouster, reports AFP
Restoring democracy in Venezuela requires respect for Venezuelan people's will, EU countries say
European Union countries, with the exception of Hungary, on Sunday called for restraint by all actors in Venezuela, and said respecting the will of the Venezuelan people was the only way to restore the country's democracy.
"The European Union calls for calm and restraint by all actors, to avoid escalation and to ensure a peaceful solution to the crisis," the 26 EU countries and the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said in a statement.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez will pay bigger price than Maduro 'if she doesn't do what's right': Trump
US won't govern Venezuela but will press for changes through oil blockade: Marco Rubio
AP reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the United States would not take a day-to-day role in governing Venezuela other than enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” on the country, a turnaround after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier that the US would be running Venezuela following its ouster of leader Nicolás Maduro.
Venezuela's interim government says it remains united behind Maduro after his US capture
A top Venezuelan official on Sunday said the country’s government remains unified behind President Nicolás Maduro, whose capture by the United States has triggered deep uncertainty over the future of the oil-rich South American nation.
Maduro is being held at a detention centre in New York and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday on drug-related charges, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered his removal and claimed Washington would take control of Venezuela.
Despite the developments, senior officials in Caracas continue to run the government. They have described the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as a “kidnapping”.
“Here, the unity of the revolutionary force is more than guaranteed, and here there is only one president, whose name is Nicolás Maduro Moros. Let no one fall for the enemy’s provocations,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said in an audio message shared by the ruling PSUV socialist party, urging calm.
Images of the 63-year-old Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed, released on Saturday, have stunned Venezuelans and intensified political tensions in the country.
(Reuters)
Venezuela's PDVSA asks some joint ventures to cut back oil output
Venezuela's state-run PDVSA is asking some of its joint ventures to cut back crude output by shutting down oilfields or well clusters as onshore stocks mount and the company runs out of diluents amid an export paralysis, three sources close to the decision said.
Oil exports from the OPEC country, whose deposed President Nicolas Maduro and first lady were extracted by U.S. forces on Saturday unleashing a deep political crisis, remain at a standstill following the announced U.S. blockade of all sanctioned tankers going in and out of its waters and the seizure of two oil cargoes.
(Reuters)
Spain 'strongly condemns' violation of international law in Venezuela, PM says
Spain condemned what it called a violation of international law in Venezuela, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote in a letter sent to members of his Socialist Party on Sunday after U.S. President Donald Trump's raid to capture Nicolas Maduro.
His comments went further than his remarks on Saturday in which he said he would not recognise the intervention.
The Socialists' hard-left coalition partner Sumar had urged the government to condemn the U.S. strikes that resulted in the Venezuelan president's capture, with party sources describing it as an act of imperialist piracy against a member state of the United Nations.
Sanchez's letter described the "violation of international law in Venezuela, an act that we strongly condemn".
(Reuters)
Investors face more geopolitical whiplash from Trump's Venezuela gamble
Global investors are facing a fresh surge in geopolitical risk after the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a move that could unlock the nation's vast oil reserves and boost risky assets over the longer-term but prompt a flight to safety when trading resumes.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would take control of the oil-producing nation, while Maduro, whom the U.S. has repeatedly accused of running a "narco-state" and rigging elections, was in a New York detention centre on Sunday awaiting charges. Washington has not made such a direct intervention in Latin America since the invasion of Panama in 1989.
"The events are a reminder that geopolitical tensions continue to dominate the headlines and drive the markets," said Marchel Alexandrovich, an economist at Saltmarsh Economics. "It is clear that the markets are having to cope with significantly more headline risk than they are accustomed to under the previous U.S. administrations."
(Reuters)
Pope Leo says Venezuela should remain an independent country
Pope Leo said on Sunday he was following developments in Venezuela after the United States' toppling of President Nicolas Maduro a day earlier with a "soul full of concern".
Leo, the first U.S. pope, called for Venezuela to remain an independent country and respect of human rights.
(Reuters)
North Korea condemns US strikes on Venezuela, saying it is 'encroachment of sovereignty'
North Korea has denounced the U.S. strikes on Venezuela as "the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty," state news agency KCNA said on Sunday.
"The incident is another example that clearly confirms once again the rogue and brutal nature of the United States," KCNA said, citing a spokesperson for North Korea's Foreign Ministry.
The statement came after North Korea launched ballistic missiles earlier on Sunday, the day the leader of South Korea begins a state visit to China, Pyongyang's chief ally.
Pyongyang said the current situation in Venezuela "caused a catastrophic consequence to ensuring the identity of the regional and international relations structure."
(Reuters)
Venezuelan mother, son crash far-left demonstration in Puerto Rico defending President Maduro
India reaffirms its support to well-being and safety of people of Venezuela: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that India reaffirms its support to well-being and safety of people of Venezuela.
The Embassy of India in Caracas is in contact with members of Indian community, they further informed.
"Recent developments in Venezuela are a matter of deep concern. We call upon all concerned to resolve issues peacefully," the MEA said.
China says US should immediately release Venezuela's Maduro
China's foreign ministry said the United States should immediately release Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife and resolve the situation in Venezuela through dialogue and negotiation.
The ministry said in a statement on its website that the United States should also ensure the personal safety of Maduro and his wife, saying that their deportation violated international law and norms.
(Reuters)
'Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer': Kamala Harris
Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable," Kamala Harris's post on X read.
"That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.
"The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to.
"This is not about drugs or democracy. It is about oil and Donald Trump’s desire to play the regional strongman. If he cared about either, he wouldn’t pardon a convicted drug trafficker or sideline Venezuela’s legitimate opposition while pursuing deals with Maduro’s cronies," she further wrote.
First images of Nicolás Maduro getting off the plane after being captured by US forces
Venezuelan President Maduro in New York jail
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was in a New York jail Saturday, hours after American special forces seized and flew him out of his country - which Donald Trump said would come under effective US control, reported AFP.
Venezuela's top court orders VP Delcy Rodriguez to become interim president
The Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered on Saturday that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assume the role of acting president of the country in the absence of Nicolás Maduro, who was detained early Saturday morning in an operation by US forces.
Venezuela VP Delcy Rodríguez accused the United States of invading her country under false pretenses
Delcy Rodríguez, who had been Maduro’s vice president, was sworn in as interim president in a secret ceremony in Caracas. Trump indicated that Rodriguez would help the United States run the country, a surprising assertion because later in the day, she struck a defiant tone during a televised address to her nation.
She accused the United States of invading her country under false pretenses and said that Maduro was still Venezuela’s “only president.”
But Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Rodriguez. “She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Trump said.
The president also spoke at length at the news conference about American oil companies remaking the country’s energy infrastructure and, presumably, regaining rights they once held to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
UK PM Starmer says he will 'shed no tears' over Venezuela's Maduro
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday that he was pleased to see the end of President Nicolas Maduro's rule in Venezuela and wanted a smooth transition to a government that better reflected the will of Venezuelans.
"We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime," Starmer said in a statement on the British government website.
Cuban president denounces 'state terrorism' against Venezuela
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Saturday condemned the United States for attacking Venezuela and capturing its president at a rally of thousands of Havana residents in front of the U.S. Embassy in the Cuban capital.
"Cuba condemns and denounces these actions as an act of state terrorism," Diaz-Canel said.
"It is a shocking violation of the norms of international law - the military aggression against a peaceful nation that poses no threat to the United States," he added.
Venezuela supplies around 30% of Cuba's already scarce oil imports in exchange for thousands of medical personnel who work in the South American country.
Analysts agree the loss of the oil would be a devastating blow to Cuba's already shaky power grid and energy supplies.
(Reuters)
US attack on Venezuela disrupts air traffic over Caribbean
Major airlines on Saturday canceled hundreds of flights following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
American Airlines, Delta, United Air Lines , Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways began cancelling flights early on Saturday morning in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration airspace closures in the Caribbean.
JetBlue canceled 215 flights, a spokesperson for the airline said.
The FAA closed the airspace to U.S. carriers "due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity," the agency said in a notice to airmen.
The agency issued other security notices for non-U.S. air carriers, cautioning them from entering Venezuelan airspace. A notice to British operators warned of "potential risk from anti-aircraft weaponry and heightened military activity" if flying within 100 miles (160 km) of Venezuelan airspace.
NYC Mayor Mamdani speaks with Trump, terms US military action in Venezuela 'act of war'
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he spoke with President Donald Trump “directly” to register his opposition to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the US military, as he termed the unilateral attack on a sovereign nation an “act of war”.
Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York and are being brought to the city to face the charges against them.
Responding to a question on the situation in Venezuela and Maduro’s capture at a press conference, Mamdani said he “called the president and spoke with him directly to register my opposition to this act".
“I registered my opposition. I made it clear and we left it at that,” Mamdani said, giving no details of what Trump’s response to him was.
The extraordinary international development has come just two days after Mamdani was sworn-in as New York City Mayor.
Plane carrying deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro arrives in New York following his capture by US, reports AP.
UN Security Council to meet Monday on Venezuela
Venezuelan people are today rid of Nicolás Maduro’s dictatorship and can only rejoice: French President Macron
'Maduro and his wife will soon face the full might of American justice and stand trial on American soil': Trump
Nicolás Maduro had his chance, just like Iran had their chance
"Nicolás Maduro had his chance, just like Iran had their chance — until they didn't and until he didn't. He F'd around and he found out." United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth.
'We are ready to defend' Venezuela: Vice President Delcy Rodriguez
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Saturday the government was ready "to defend" the country after an early-morning operation in which the US military seized strongman Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
"We are ready to defend Venezuela; we are ready to defend our natural resources, he said.
Maduro is Venezuela's 'only president': VP Delcy Rodriguez, reports AFP
US plans to sell Venezuelan oil to other countries, reports AP
Spain did not recognize the Maduro Regime, but neither will it recognize an intervention that violates International Law: Spanish PM
Spanish PM Sanchez: Spain did not recognize the Maduro Regime, but neither will It recognize an intervention that violates International Law
Trump says US will run Venezuela with a group, doesn't fear putting US troops on ground
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States will run Venezuela with a group and said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be working on the details.
Trump, at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, said the United States does not fear putting U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela after the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro. "We're not afraid of boots on the ground," he said.
(Reuters)
Trump voices doubts about Machado's ability to run Venezuela
US President Donald Trump expressed doubt on Saturday as to whether Venezuela's opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, can run that country, saying she does not have the support or respect of the people.
Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida that he has not been in touch with Machado after the overnight arrest of President Nicolas Maduro.
Trump posts Maduro's photo on board the USS Iwo Jima
Trump signals US may expand focus to Cuba amid Venezuela operation
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday indicated that Cuba could become a topic of discussion as part of broader U.S. policy in the region, highlighting the potential for Washington to expand its focus beyond Venezuela amid rising tensions in Latin America.
Trump says US will continue role in Venezuela until 'safe' transition
President Donald Trump said on Saturday the United States would continue to oversee its involvement in Venezuela “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” signaling an open-ended U.S. role.
Germany urges political solution for Venezuela crisis
Germany's foreign ministry on Saturday called for a political solution in Venezuela where the United States attacked and captured leader Nicolas Maduro.
"We call on all involved parties to avoid an escalation of the situation and to seek ways for a political settlement," said a written communication obtained by Reuters after a crisis team had met at the ministry.
"International law has to be respected ... Venezuelans deserve a peaceful and democratic future," it added.
The ministry said it was in close contact with the embassy in Caracas and a travel warning had been issued.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | 'The hour of freedom has arrived': Oppn leader and Noble Prize winner Maria Corina Machado
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | Maduro and wife dragged from bedroom by US forces: CNN report
According to a report by CNN, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were dragged by US forces from their bedroom during the raid in which they were captured.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | Russia urges US to release Venezuela's Maduro
Russia urged the United States to release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, in a statement issued by the Russian foreign ministry on Saturday.
"In light of confirmed reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are in the United States, we strongly urge the American leadership to reconsider its position and release the legally elected president of a sovereign country and his wife," the ministry said in the statement.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | France says military operation behind Maduro's capture goes against international law
The United States' military operation which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro went against the principles of international law, said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Saturday.
"The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro violates the principle of not resorting to force, that underpins international law. France reiterates that no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside and that only sovereign people themselves can decide their future," wrote Barrot on X.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | China says US action in Venezuela violates international law
China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday that it condemned the U.S. action in Venezuela, which it said violated international law.
"China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the U.S. against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country," the foreign ministry said.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | UN chief on Venezuela: US action sets 'dangerous precedent'
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply alarmed by U.S. action in Venezuela that sets "a dangerous precedent," his spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.
"The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | The U.S. has been building up forces off Venezuela for months: New York Times
Before President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had captured President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela, the U.S. military had launched one of the largest deployments of its forces to the Caribbean region in decades.
The United States Southern Command said that about 15,000 troops were in the region by December. Trump described them as a “massive armada.” In August, he had secretly signed a directive to the Pentagon to begin using military force against Latin American drug cartels that his administration had deemed terrorist organizations.
Since the signing, the United States had carried out 35 lethal strikes on boats that the administration said were carrying narcotics. The attacks have killed more than 100 people. Legal and military experts questioned the legality of the strikes. Congress has not authorized them, nor has it declared war on Venezuela.
-- New York Times
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | 'Vicious operation of a rogue state': Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condemns US strikes on Venezuela
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | Venezuela vice president Rodriguez in Russia, four sources say: Reuters
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is in Russia, four sources familiar with her movements said on Saturday, after President Donald Trump said President Nicolas Maduro had been captured by U.S. forces after an attack on the country.
Her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the national assembly, is in Caracas, three sources with knowledge of his whereabouts said.
Delcy Rodriguez appeared in an audio message on state television earlier in the day, calling for proof of life of Maduro and his wife Cilia, while Jorge Rodriguez has not appeared since the attack.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates |Trump: few injuries, no deaths on our side from Venezuela operation
The U.S. forces that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday suffered a few injuries and no deaths, President Donald Trump told Fox News.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | EU stands by people of Venezuela, supports democratic transition, von der Leyen says
The European Union stands by the people of Venezuela and supports a peaceful and democratic transition in the country, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday.
"Following very closely the situation in Venezuela. We stand by the people of Venezuela and support a peaceful and democratic transition. Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter," von der Leyen said in a post on X.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | Brazil says US crossed 'unacceptable line' over military strikes on Venezuela
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday condemned the U.S. military attack on neighbor Venezuela and the capture of his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, calling it the crossing of "an unacceptable line."
"These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela's sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community," Lula said in a post on X.
Lula had previously said that an armed intervention in Venezuela would be a "humanitarian catastrophe", and has offered Brazil to mediate disputes between the countries.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | UK's Starmer says Britain was not involved in US strikes on Venezuela
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his country was not involved in the United States' strikes on Venezuela and that he wanted to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump and find out the full facts of what had happened.
"I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump. I want to speak to allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved ... and I always say and believe we should all uphold international law," he said in a statement to British broadcasters.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | Oil facilities unscathed in US strike, sources say
Venezuela's state-run oil production and refining were operating normally on Saturday and suffered no damage from a U.S. strike to extract the country's president, two sources with knowledge of the operations of energy company PDVSA said.
The port of La Guaira near Caracas, one of the country's largest but one not used for oil exports, was reported to have suffered severe damage, one of the sources said.
Trump in December announced a blockade of oil tankers entering or leaving the country and the U.S. seized two cargoes of Venezuelan oil.
That lowered the OPEC country's exports last month to about half of the 950,000 barrels per day (bpd) it shipped in November, according to monitoring data and internal documents.
US strikes Venezuela LIVE updates | Nicolas Maduro, wife have been indicted in New York
United States Attorney General Pamela Bondi has informed that Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. "Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States," she said.