Background on Nicolás Maduro and His Relevance
Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, is being transported to a New York court on Monday for his first hearing following a powerful U.S.-led military operation that claims control over Venezuela, according to live transmissions from U.S. media outlets.
Maduro, 63, is accused of trafficking cocaine to the United States along with his wife, Cilia Flores, 69. Both were forcibly removed from Caracas on Saturday during intense U.S. attacks involving ground commandos, fighter jet bombings, and a formidable naval force.
Who is Nicolás Maduro?
Nicolás Maduro, a self-proclaimed socialist, ruled Venezuela with an iron fist for over a decade through a series of allegedly rigged elections. He succeeded Hugo Chávez in 2013 after the latter’s death.
Maduro led a small group of five individuals responsible for chavismo, including his wife Cilia, the interim president Delcy Rodríguez, his brother Jorge Rodríguez, and Diosdado Cabello. This group is often referred to as “a club of five,” with Maduro maintaining the balance.
Key Events and Charges
- Maduro and his wife are accused of cocaine trafficking to the United States.
- They were forcibly removed from Caracas during intense U.S. attacks involving ground commandos, fighter jet bombings, and a formidable naval force.
- Maduro’s son, “Nicolasito,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and a fugitive drug lord are also named in the new indictment.
Reactions and Statements
President Donald Trump insisted on Sunday that the U.S. is “in charge” of Venezuela and is discussing next steps with the new Venezuelan authorities led by interim president Delcy Rodríguez.
Rodríguez, the former vice president under Maduro, stated on Sunday night that she is ready to cooperate with the Trump administration and advocated for a balanced and respectful relationship with the U.S.
The Trump administration claims it is willing to work with the remainder of Maduro’s government if U.S. objectives are met, particularly opening up Venezuela’s vast oil reserves—the largest in the world—to U.S. investment.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: What is the status of Venezuela following the operation? A: The U.S. claims control over Venezuela, while the new interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, is open to cooperation with the U.S.
- Q: Who are the key figures involved in this situation? A: Nicolás Maduro, Cilia Flores, their son “Nicolasito,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and a fugitive drug lord are all named in the new indictment.
- Q: How has the international community responded? A: Countries with strong ties to Venezuela, such as China and Russia, have quickly condemned the U.S. attack. Leftist governments in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay have rejected any attempts to control Venezuela.
Casualties and Aftermath
The Venezuelan military acknowledged Rodríguez as the interim president. In Caracas, opponents remain silent out of fear of reprisals, while pro-Maduro demonstrations have been small.
Approximately 2,000 Maduro supporters marched on Sunday to demand his release, accompanied by paramilitaries and motorcyclists. The hospitals in Venezuela have refused to disclose casualty figures from the U.S. attacks.
A Venezuelan doctors’ organization reported 70 deaths and 90 injuries to AFP, while a military source claimed at least 15 fatalities. Cuba reported that 32 Cubans died in the U.S. raid, and Trump asserted that “many Cubans” from Maduro’s security team perished in the operation.
Opponent Edmundo González Urrutia, speaking from exile in Spain, called Maduro’s capture “an important step” towards normalizing Venezuela but not enough. He urged respect for the 2024 election results, which he claims to have won, and the release of all political prisoners for a “democratic transition.”
The European Union stated that the Venezuelan transition must include prominent opposition leader María Corina Machado, who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize but was sidelined by Trump from the transition process.
Trump’s Strategy and Threats
Trump has yet to mention democracy in Venezuela and stated that elections will have to wait.
“We’re going to run it, fix it, have elections at the right time, but first and foremost, we have to fix a failed country,” he assured.
He launched harsh words against other adversaries, including Colombian leftist president Gustavo Petro, accusing him of being a drug trafficker without evidence. Trump also threatened Cuba’s communist government, stating it is “on the verge of collapse,” and warned Iran that its leadership will be “hit very hard” if it kills more protesters.
The U.S. maintains a powerful naval force in the Caribbean, which led the Venezuela operation and is tasked with preventing Venezuelan oil tankers under sanctions from exporting crude.
A U.S. official informed AFP that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will discuss Venezuela in Capitol meetings on Monday.
United Nations Security Council Meeting
Despite the initial success of the U.S. operation, many questions remain about Trump’s strategy for Venezuela.
The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday at Venezuela’s request. Allies and adversaries of the U.S. have expressed concern and may use the U.N. as a platform to voice their opposition.
Countries with strong ties to Venezuela, such as China and Russia, have swiftly condemned the U.S. attack. Leftist governments in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay have rejected any attempts to control Venezuela.
