In an overnight operation, US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, removing them from the country. At least 40 people, including civilians and soldiers, were killed, and critical infrastructure in Caracas, including the power grid, was damaged during the airstrikes.

Codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, the mission targeted Maduro’s residence inside the Fort Tiuna military complex. He now faces US federal charges, including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy, with an initial court appearance scheduled in Manhattan on Monday.

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Trump Signals Regional Pressure

President Donald Trump said the United States would temporarily ‘run’ Venezuela, oversee a political transition, and manage its oil reserves. He also warned that Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia could face similar action. Trump accused Cuba of failing as a nation, Mexico of being controlled by drug cartels, and Colombia of hosting major cocaine operations.

Domestic and International Reactions

The Venezuelan Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president. Caracas condemned the US operation as an attempt to seize Venezuela’s resources and violate its sovereignty. Cuban officials called the intervention ‘state terrorism’, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the end of Maduro’s rule.

The operation represents the most aggressive US intervention in the region in decades. Analysts warn it could signal further pressure on neighboring countries and raise complex questions about legality, humanitarian impact, and regional stability.