At a Glance
- U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on Saturday.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Cuba and warned of concerns over the operation.
- Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned the action as illegal.
- Why it matters: The capture sparks a U.S.-Cuba-Venezuela showdown and raises questions about U.S. military intervention without congressional approval.
On Saturday, U.S. military forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores during an operation that drew sharp criticism from Cuban officials and U.S. political leaders. Secretary of State Marco Rubio used the event to attack Cuba, while President Donald Trump outlined plans to “run” Venezuela until a safe transition. Democratic lawmakers decried the action as illegal.
U.S. Operation and Immediate Aftermath
The Delta Force entered Maduro’s compound in Caracas, captured him and Flores, and transported them aboard the USS Iwo Jima toward New York. Trump announced they would face charges in the Southern District of New York.
- Narco-terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine importation conspiracy
- Possession of machine guns and destructive devices
- Conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices
U.S. and Cuban Reactions
Rubio criticized Cuba as incompetent and said Cuban officials had infiltrated Venezuela’s security apparatus. Trump said the U.S. would “run” Venezuela until a safe transition.
Marco Rubio said:
> “I’d be concerned”
> “Run by incompetent, senile men, and in some cases not seen now, but incompetent nonetheless.”
> “In some cases, one of the biggest problems Venezuelans have is they have to declare independence from Cuba. They tried to basically colonize it from a security standpoint. So, yeah, look, if I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned at least a little bit.”
Donald Trump said:
> “We’re going to be running it with a group, and we’re going to make sure it’s run properly. We’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela are taken care of and we’re going to make sure the people of Venezuela who were forced out by this thug are taken care of.”
Cuban Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla wrote on X:
> “Against Venezuela and the kidnapping of its legitimate President Nicolás Maduro Moros and his wife.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi said:
> “The duo was indicted in the Southern District of New York.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said:
> “Without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.”
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. seized Maduro and Flores on Saturday and plans to prosecute them in New York.
- The operation drew sharp criticism from Cuban officials and U.S. Democratic leaders.
- The capture heightens tensions between the U.S., Cuba, and Venezuela.
The incident underscores the U.S. commitment to intervene in foreign affairs and the legal controversies that accompany such actions.
