US-Venezuela Tensions: Trump's 'most fearsome military' boast after Maduro capture

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US President Donald Trump praised the capture of ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro as proof of America’s military might, calling the operation “brilliant tactically” and showcasing what he described as the world’s “most fearsome” force, as per a BBC report.

Speaking at a House GOP retreat in Washington, Trump revealed that US forces cut electricity to large parts of Venezuela ahead of the raid, giving troops the element of surprise as they moved toward Maduro’s compound. “We had a lot of boots on the ground, but it was amazing,” he said, stressing that no US personnel were killed in the operation, the BBC report mentioned.

Trump also lashed out at Democrats for questioning the decision to capture Maduro, saying the opposition should have acknowledged the outcome. “At some point they should say, ‘You did a great job,’” he remarked, complaining that few were offering congratulations.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab called for US judge to recognise lack of jurisdiction in trying ousted President Nicolas Maduro, as per a report by Reuters. Saab also called for judge to consider immunity extended to Maduro, who was the Venezuelan President when he was captured and arrested by US forces during pre-dawn raids in Caracas.

The US operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro may deliver a quick political boost to President Donald Trump, but it risks seriously undermining America’s global standing over time, geopolitical expert Ian Bremmer warned. In an interview with India Today TV, Bremmer said the January 3 raid in Caracas reflects what he calls a “G-Zero world” â€” a phase marked by the absence of global leadership and the United States “walking away from its own previous global order.”

The Trump administration is planning to hold meetings with top US oil executives later this week to explore ways to ramp up oil production in Venezuela following the ouster of its leader Nicolas Maduro, as per a Reuters report. The proposed discussions are seen as central to Washington’s efforts to pave the way for major US oil companies to re-enter Venezuela.

However, executives from the three largest US oil producers, Exxon Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron, said they have not yet held any discussions with the Trump administration regarding operations in Venezuela, either before or after Maduro’s removal, Reuters report mentioned. The executives’ accounts contradict Trump’s public remarks over the weekend, in which he claimed the White House had already met with “all” US oil companies about Venezuela.

After the US military operation over the weekend in Venezuela which ended in capture and arrest of its President, Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump is now showing renewed interest in Greenland. Trump has repeatedly said that he wants to gain control of Greenland, arguing that it is vital for the US military, and that Denmark has not done enough to protect it. Following Trump's recent remarks, leaders from major European powers rallied behind Greenland on Tuesday, saying in a joint statement that the Arctic island belongs to its people.

US stock index futures were muted on Tuesday as investors took a breather after Wall Street posted its biggest intraday gains in weeks in the previous session, while markets braced for a data-heavy week of labour reports. A rally in financial stocks was the main driver of robust gains on Wall Street on Monday that sent the blue-chip Dow to a record high. The Dow is about 2% away from the historic 50,000 mark.

(Reuters report)

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's movement demanded the release of all political prisoners. "Those who unjustly hold the civilian and military political prisoners should free them immediately," the Vente Venezuela movement said of political detainees, whom a leading local rights group puts at 863.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Venezuela’s main opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has vowed to return home “as soon as possible” after the US captured President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic weekend operation. Praising US President Donald Trump, Machado said the raid marked the moment “justice defeated a tyranny” and declared her movement ready to win a free election. She claimed the opposition had already won the 2024 vote “by a landslide” under fraudulent conditions and predicted a 90% victory if polls are held fairly.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has issued a sharp warning over the United States’ intervention in Venezuela, saying the move risks undermining international law and global security. “It sends a signal that the powerful can do whatever they like,” Ravina Shamdasani, chief spokesperson for the UN human rights office, said.

The UN Human Rights Office has issued a strong warning against the United States’ intervention in Venezuela, saying the operation risks worsening an already fragile human rights situation. The UN rights office said it has previously raised concerns about the state of human rights in Venezuela and now fears that the US action could “make matters worse” for civilians. Beyond human rights, the UN body also flagged broader geopolitical consequences. It warned that the US intervention damages the architecture of international security, a phrase used to describe the system of rules, norms, and institutions meant to prevent unilateral use of force. The office stressed that the international community must make it clear that such interventions contravene international law.

(With inputs from Reuters)

A courtroom sketch of Venezuela's ousted president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as they appeared in Manhattan federal court on Monday showed them in their prison outfits. Cilia Flores is shown with band-aids on her forehead. Both are seen wearing headphones as they are provided with a live English-to-Spanish translation of the court proceedings.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised concerns on Monday about greater instability in Venezuela after the US capture of President Nicolas Maduro, while the United States said it does not plan to occupy the Latin American country.

"I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification of instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted," Guterres said in a statement delivered to the council by UN political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo.

(with inputs from Reuters)

With Venezuela under US control, India faces a high-stakes gamble, balancing global perception, strategic partnerships, and billion-dollar oil opportunities. Silence may be golden, but every decision could redefine its energy security, geopolitical influence, and position in the Global South. READ HERE

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has strongly criticised the Narendra Modi government for its silence on the Venezuela crisis, calling it a violation of international law. He urged the government to take a clear stand on global issues to assert its leadership ambitions. READ HERE

Oil prices fell on Tuesday on expectations of ample global supply amid weak demand, and as the market weighed the prospect of higher Venezuelan crude output following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

Brent crude futures fell 0.2 per cent, or 14 cents, to USD 61.62 a barrel by 0450 GMT while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at USD 58.13 a barrel, down 0.3 per cent or 19 cents.

(with inputs from Reuters)

China on Tuesday said it supported the UN Security Council in fulfilling the primary responsibility of maintaining peace and harmony across the world, days after the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a stunning operation in Caracas.

In a statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, "We are willing to work with other countries to safeguard the international law. We stand ready to work with regional countries to defend status of peace in LATAM and the Caribbean."

India's response to the capture of Venezuela's Nicholas Maduro, which conspicuously avoided naming the US, Donald Trump, or condemning the military operation, captured the diplomatic spot India finds itself in while dealing with an increasingly erratic US President. READ HERE

More than a dozen media workers were detained on Monday while covering events in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, including a march in support of ousted President Nicolas Maduro and the swearing-in of the country's new legislature, the South American nation's press association said.

All 14 of those detained were later released, the press association (SNTP) said on X, though one was a foreign journalist who was deported.

SNTP said that those detained included 11 people working with international media outlets and one with a national outlet.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Declaring himself a "prisoner of war" in a New York court, deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro argued that his capture in Caracas by the US forces was a military action, and not a law-enforcement operation. He pleaded not guilty to US narco-terrorism and drug charges. READ HERE

In India, MCX gold is trading at a lifetime high. A decisive breakout could push prices sharply higher, while lower levels continue to attract buyers rather than panic sellers. MCX silver, trading over Rs 2.5 lakh, remains in an uptrend as long as key support zones hold. READ HERE

The US dollar retreated for a second day in Asian trading on Tuesday, as market jitters from US military action in Venezuela eased and dovish comments from Fed officials spurred risk-taking on Wall Street.

The dollar index USD, which measures its strength against a basket of six currencies, was last trading at 98.216, down 0.2 per cent and extending losses after snapping a four-day winning streak on Monday.

"The market isn't really concerned about what's happening on the geopolitical front, at least in the near term," said Rodrigo Catril, currency strategist at National Australia Bank in Sydney. That environment "lessens the appeal for safe havens, and we've seen the US dollar on the back foot," he added.

(with inputs from Reuters)

Just around 150 minutes, 150 aircraft and a seamless blend of air, sea and ground power were all it took for America’s elite counter-terrorism unit, Delta Force, to snatch Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. US President Donald Trump described it as “an assault like people have not seen since World War II”. READ HERE

Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado said on Monday she hasn't spoken to US President Donald Trump since October 2025.

"Actually, I spoke with President Trump on October 10, the same day the (Nobel Peace) Prize was announced, (but) not since then," Machado said on Fox News' "Hannity" programme.

She was awarded the prize for her fight against what the Norwegian Nobel Committee called a dictatorship.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from US oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production after US forces ousted its leader Nicolas Maduro, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The meetings are crucial to the administration's hopes of getting top US oil companies back into the South American nation after its government, nearly two decades ago, took control of US-led energy operations there. READ MORE

Just ten minutes after announcing the Venezuela strikes and Nicolas Maduro's capture, one of the most dramatic US military actions in decades, Donald Trump answered a cold call from a New York Times reporter. READ HERE

The White House has said that the US is not involved after gunfire and drones were reported near Venezuela's presidential palace. It said it was monitoring the situation in the troubled Latin American nation.

As deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro faces drug trafficking charges in the US, an old photograph showing him with Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba resurfaced online, highlighting his long-standing spiritual ties to India through his wife, Cilia Flores. READ HERE

Shots were fired late on Tuesday near Venezuela’s presidential palace, Miraflores, according to the Associated Press, as unidentified drones were seen flying over the complex in central Caracas.

AP reported that security forces opened fire in response at around 8:00 pm local time (0000 GMT). The source added that the situation was under control.

The United Nations Security Council met in emergency session on Monday to address recent US military action in Venezuela.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the council that the situation represented a “grave time,” voicing serious concern over US strikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. His remarks were delivered on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo.

Guterres said he was alarmed by the risk of escalating instability inside Venezuela, the possible spillover effects across the region, and the precedent such actions could set for how states conduct relations with one another.

US President Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that the Nobel Peace Prize played any role in his decision to rule out Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado as a successor to Nicolás Maduro, dismissing reports that the award influenced his thinking.

In an interview with NBC News, Trump said Machado should not have received the Nobel Peace Prize, an honour he has repeatedly said he deserves. However, he denied that the prize factored into his stance on Venezuela’s future leadership.

“She should not have won it,” Trump said. “But no, that has nothing to do with my decision.”

In a separate interview with CNN, Trump adviser Stephen Miller also criticised the idea of installing Machado as Venezuela’s next leader, arguing that such a move would lack support from the country’s power structures.

US President Donald Trump said Venezuela will not hold elections within the next 30 days, stating that the country must be rebuilt before voters can go to the polls.

In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump said conditions in Venezuela made elections impossible in the near term following the US operation that led to the capture of longtime leader Nicolas Maduro.

Read the full report here.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth are set to brief members of Congress later on Tuesday on the Trump administration’s plans for Venezuela, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said.

Thune said he expects to learn more about President Donald Trump’s comments suggesting his administration would take control of Venezuela. Lawmakers with oversight of national security matters will take part in the briefing alongside other senior officials.

The South Dakota Republican said he was satisfied with the notice he received regarding the US operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, even though Congress was not informed ahead of time.

Thune defended the approach, arguing that advance notification of particularly sensitive missions could be counterproductive. “Notification of Congress in advance of really critical and hyper-sensitive missions, to me, seems ill-advised,” he said. “I felt the notification, considering the scope of the mission, was sufficient.”
 

Nicolas Maduro was transferred back to a New York detention facility on Monday, January 5, following his initial appearance in a US federal court.

A heavily guarded motorcade believed to be transporting Maduro was seen crossing a bridge before arriving at the centre, with police securing the surrounding area as a helicopter monitored the movement from above, Reuters reported.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that he warned US President Donald Trump against dragging Venezuela into instability, stressing that Ankara does not support actions that violate political legitimacy or international law.

Speaking in a televised address, Erdogan cautioned that such moves “are risky steps that can lead to serious complications on a global level.” He said he raised the issue during a telephone call with Trump earlier in the day.

Turkey has maintained close relations with Venezuela, with Nicolás Maduro having visited the country several times in recent years.

Erdogan said Turkey would continue to back the Venezuelan people, adding: “Turkey and the Turkish people will continue to stand by the friendly Venezuelan people in their struggle for prosperity, peace, and development.”

Colombia will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the United States in efforts to combat drug trafficking, the country’s interior and justice ministers said on Monday.

Nicolas Maduro has retained Barry J. Pollack, a Washington-based trial lawyer and partner at Harris, St. Laurent & Wechsler. Court filings show Pollack formally entered the case ahead of Monday’s hearing.

Pollack is recognised for negotiating the plea deal that led to Julian Assange’s release in 2024, bringing an end to the WikiLeaks founder’s long legal battle with US authorities. That case cemented Pollack’s reputation as a lawyer capable of handling complex, politically sensitive prosecutions involving national security and international law.

Read the full story here.

Nicolás Maduro exchanged brief remarks with reporters inside a New York courtroom on Monday, repeatedly wishing them “Happy New Year” as he appeared before a federal judge.

Dressed in jail-issued khaki trousers and a blue short-sleeved shirt worn over an orange top, Maduro directed the greeting toward journalists seated in the jury box before turning to address the packed public gallery.

Throughout the hearing, Maduro complied with courtroom protocol, taking detailed notes and repeatedly maintaining that he had been unlawfully abducted.

Venezuela’s Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez was formally sworn in on Monday as the country’s interim president, as ousted leader Nicolás Maduro appeared before a federal court in New York on drug-related charges following a US operation that removed him from power over the weekend.

Rodriguez, 56, a labour lawyer with close ties to the ruling party and longstanding links to the private sector, took the oath of office in a ceremony overseen by her brother Jorge Rodriguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly.

The swearing-in coincided with the inauguration of 283 lawmakers elected in May. Only a handful of those legislators are considered opposition figures, as most opposition groups — including those aligned with Nobel laureate María Corina Machado — boycotted the election.

First lady Cilia Flores was the only lawmaker absent from the ceremony. She remains in US custody.

Senior US oil industry executives are expected to hold talks with Trump administration officials later this week to discuss Washington’s plans for Venezuela, an oil industry source told Reuters.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke by phone on Saturday with Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, his office said on Monday, following US action against the South American nation that led to the removal of President Nicolas Maduro.

Lula criticised Washington’s move, saying it crossed what he described as an unacceptable threshold.

The Trump administration is drawing up preliminary plans to reopen the US embassy in Venezuela following the removal of Nicolás Maduro, according to a State Department official.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, said early preparations are under way to allow for a possible reopening of the embassy in Caracas if President Donald Trump opts to send American diplomats back to the country.

However, the official stressed that no final decision has been taken on resuming operations at the mission, which was closed in 2019 during Trump’s first term.

Reopening a shuttered embassy involves extensive logistical, security and staffing arrangements, a process that can take several months to complete.

Nicolas Maduro's wife Cilia Flores appeared in court with bandaging on her temple and eyelid, as her lawyer said she suffered serious injuries during her capture.

Mark E. Donnelly, representing Flores, told the court she sustained “significant injuries” and said he believes she may have a fracture or severe bruising to her ribs.

The judge instructed prosecutors to ensure Flores receives proper medical care.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was involved in a tense exchange with a protester as he left a courtroom under escort by federal officers.

As Maduro prepared to exit with US Marshals, a man in the audience stood up and shouted at him in Spanish, accusing him of being an illegitimate president. The individual was later identified as 33-year-old Pedro Rojas, who said he had previously been imprisoned by the Venezuelan regime.

Court officials moved quickly to remove Maduro from the room. As he was led out, Maduro briefly responded to the protester, describing himself as a detained leader and a prisoner of war.

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s next court date has been scheduled for March 17, following the conclusion of a hearing on Sunday.

As proceedings wrapped up, Maduro and his wife were escorted out of the courtroom.

Near the close of Monday’s hearing, Nicolas Maduro’s attorney, Barry J Pollack, argued that his client “is head of a sovereign state and entitled to the privilege” that status provides. Pollack raised “questions about the legality of his military abduction” and said there would be “voluminous” pretrial filings to address these legal challenges. Following the statements, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were escorted from the courtroom, concluding the initial court appearance.

Court proceedings in the case involving deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, concluded at 12:31 p.m. on Monday after Flores’s lawyer, Mark Donnelly, told the court she was suffering from health issues requiring medical attention. Donnelly said Flores, 69, may have a rib fracture or severe bruising and could need a full X-ray. Both Maduro and Flores agreed to remain in detention for now, with their lawyers reserving the option to seek bail at a later stage.

After Nicolas Maduro entered his plea, the judge turned to his wife, Cilia Flores, to confirm her identity. Speaking in Spanish through an interpreter, Flores described herself as the first lady of the Republic of Venezuela. Asked to enter a plea, she said she was “not guilty” and “completely innocent” of the charges.

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday during his first appearance in a US court on drug trafficking charges, repeatedly telling the judge that he had been captured and insisting he remains the president of his country. Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro said he was innocent of all allegations and described himself as “a decent man.” His lawyer said the not-guilty plea applied to all charges. US District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein entered the plea on Maduro’s behalf. Maduro also told the court he had not yet read the indictment and had not previously been informed of his legal rights, which the judge then outlined during the hearing.

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was brought into a New York courtroom shortly after noon on Monday to face US drug trafficking charges following his capture. Wearing a blue prison uniform, Maduro shook hands with his lawyer before taking his seat, while his wife, Cilia Flores, was led in moments later. Both used headsets to follow the proceedings through translation.

US District Judge Alvin K Hellerstein, who said it was his duty to ensure a fair trial, presided over the hearing. Television cameras were barred from the courtroom, with proceedings viewed by reporters and the public in overflow rooms.

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro appeared in a US federal court in New York on Monday to face drug trafficking charges, days after President Donald Trump ordered his capture in a dramatic operation that has shaken Caracas and drawn global scrutiny. Maduro, whose hands were zip-tied, was brought from a Brooklyn detention centre to the Manhattan courthouse along with his wife, Cilia Flores. The hearing began as the UN chief voiced concerns over instability in Venezuela and the legality of the US action. Maduro is accused of running a cocaine-trafficking network linked to major criminal groups, allegations he has long denied.

The United States is preparing to reopen its embassy in Caracas if President Donald Trump decides to resume diplomatic operations in Venezuela, a senior State Department official said on Monday. The official said preparations were under way to allow a reopening should Trump authorise the move, following recent US actions in the country.

Captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro will be represented in US court by veteran trial attorney Barry Pollack, who is best known for defending WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Pollack is an experienced US criminal lawyer with a long record in high-profile cases. Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, will be represented separately by Mark Donnelly, a white-collar defence attorney.

The UN Security Council on Monday discussed the United States’ actions in Venezuela during a meeting in New York, with Russia strongly condemning Washington’s move. Russia’s UN envoy Vassily Nebenzya said there was no justification for what he described as crimes committed by the US in Caracas. Nebenzya accused Washington of carrying out an act of armed aggression against Venezuela, saying it violated all norms of international law and must be firmly condemned.

The United States will not waver in its actions to protect Americans from narco-terrorism while seeking peace, liberty and justice for the Venezuelan people, the US envoy to the United Nations said on Monday. The envoy said President Donald Trump had given diplomacy a chance and offered Nicolas Maduro multiple opportunities to de-escalate the situation. Rejecting accusations of aggression, the envoy said there was no war against Venezuela or its people and stressed that the United States was not occupying the country.

Switzerland on Monday froze assets linked to Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and 36 associates following his capture by the US forces in Caracas and transfer to the United States. The measure, effective immediately for four years, targets potentially illicit assets and adds to sanctions Switzerland has maintained on Venezuela since 2018. Swiss authorities said the freeze does not affect the current Venezuelan government and pledged to return any illegally acquired funds to benefit the Venezuelan people. The government stressed the situation in Venezuela remains volatile, calling for restraint and offering its good offices to help find a peaceful resolution.

Venezuela has ordered its police forces to identify and arrest anyone involved in promoting or supporting the US attack that ousted President Nicolas Maduro, according to the text of a state-of-emergency decree published on Monday. The decree directs authorities to immediately begin a nationwide search and capture of those linked to backing the armed action by the United States. The emergency measures have been in force since Saturday, following the US strike, but the full text of the decree was made public on Monday.

The Indian National Congress on Monday expressed grave concern over what it described as unilateral actions taken by the United States in Venezuela over the past 48 hours, saying they violate established principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. In a statement issued by its Foreign Affairs Department, party leader Salman Khurshid said respect for national sovereignty and peaceful coexistence form the foundation of the post-World War II rules-based order. The Congress warned that any kinetic action without explicit UN sanctions risks undermining global stability and reviving coercive statecraft. It urged that the will of the Venezuelan people be prioritised and that the country’s resources be used for their benefit.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday reiterated Mexico’s rejection of US intervention in Venezuela and any action against Mexico itself, following Washington’s attack on Venezuela and the extradition of its president. She said Mexico categorically opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries, while stressing that cooperation with the US on drug trafficking and security would continue. Responding to remarks by US President Donald Trump hinting at possible military action in Mexico to fight drug cartels, Sheinbaum said Mexico is a free and sovereign nation, adding that cooperation does not mean subordination.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer calls for a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela but he declined to criticize the American raid that seized President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Starmer, who’s worked hard to forge a strong relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, said Monday that the U.K. supports international law. But he wouldn’t say whether he thought the U.S. strike on Caracas had breached it.

“It’s for the U.S. to set out its justifications for the actions that it’s taken,” Starmer said. “But it is a complicated situation. It remains a complicated situation. The most important thing is stability and that peaceful transition to democracy.”

With inputs from Associated Press

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown from a Brooklyn jail to Manhattan on Monday to face drug trafficking charges in a US federal court. Maduro was captured over the weekend in the biggest US intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, after Special Forces raided a safe house in Caracas. The 63-year-old former president is accused of running a cocaine-trafficking network linked to groups such as Mexico’s Sinaloa and Zetas cartels, Colombia’s FARC rebels and Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. Maduro has denied the allegations, calling them a pretext for US designs on Venezuela’s oil.

Handcuffed and under heavy security, captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was brought to a New York court on Monday following the US strikes in Venezuela. Maduro arrived at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport before being taken to the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse for his initial appearance, where he is expected to face multiple US federal charges, including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking and money laundering.

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrived at a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday for a court appearance, reported news agency Reuters.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said it was up to the United States to justify its actions in Venezuela after capturing President Nicolas Maduro, describing the situation as "not straightforward." "What we need in Venezuela is a peaceful transition to democracy. That was our position before this weekend..it remains our position," Starmer told reporters. "International law is the framework, is the anchor or the benchmark, against which we judge the actions of all other governments. And it is, of course, for the US to justify the action that it has taken. It is not straightforward. It is complicated, and even today, there are further developments." The United States captured Maduro in a raid early on Saturday and took him to New York to face drug-trafficking charges.

(Inputs from Reuters)

The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States has created an opportunity for a democratic transition in the country, a European Commission spokesperson said on Monday, while cautioning that it was too early to assess the legal implications of the operation. The spokesperson avoided characterising the US action but said it could enable a transition led by the Venezuelan people, adding that Maduro lacked the legitimacy of a democratically elected leader. She declined to comment on whether US President Donald Trump was motivated by support for democracy in Venezuela.
 

Days after his capture in a Caracas safe house, ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been transferred to New York’s Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC) in Brooklyn, a jail long criticised for its harsh confinement conditions. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, face US drug trafficking charges following a dramatic overnight raid and were flown to the United States via a US Navy ship. The couple arrived at MDC Brooklyn on Saturday night and are due to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday. The facility, which houses about 1,300 pretrial detainees, has previously held high-profile inmates including Ghislaine Maxwell, Sean “Diddy” Combs and former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Monday that recent developments in Venezuela could lead to a more favourable situation in global energy markets, welcoming the United States’ intervention in the country. Orban said that if Venezuela and the US acted together, they could control between 40% and 50% of global oil stocks, a concentration of supply that would give them significant influence over world oil prices.

About a dozen oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude and fuel have left the country’s waters in recent days with their tracking systems switched off, apparently evading a strict US blockade imposed amid escalating pressure on Caracas, shipping monitor TankerTrackers.com said. The departures were reported around the time of the capture of deposed President Nicolas Maduro. According to the monitoring service, all the identified vessels that sailed out loaded are already under US sanctions. It added that another set of sanctioned ships also departed Venezuelan waters empty after offloading imports or completing domestic transport operations, indicating continued but covert maritime activity despite tightening US enforcement.