Nicolás Maduro, President of Venezuela, is scheduled to appear in a U.S. court in New York after being arrested by American forces in Caracas. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump opened the possibility of further operations if Venezuela refuses to open its oil industry and combat drug trafficking. The international community has called on the U.S. to respect international law, and the U.N. Security Council is preparing to discuss the matter.
President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela is set to appear before a federal court in New York today (5 Jan) following his arrest by U.S. forces during a military operation in Caracas last weekend. This incident has raised international concerns and created political uncertainty within Venezuela.
President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. might increase military force if Venezuela does not cooperate with U.S. efforts to regain control of the oil industry and halt drug trafficking. "We are taking back what they stole. Now we are in control," Trump stated, adding that major oil companies would invest billions of dollars to resume oil drilling.
Additionally, the U.S. leader threatened possible military measures involving Colombia and Mexico, and commented that the communist regime in Cuba is nearing collapse.
U.S. authorities stated that the arrest of 63-year-old Maduro is a legal action to prosecute him for conspiracy to use drugs to commit terrorism, charges filed since 2020. The accusations claim he orchestrated cocaine trafficking routes, used the military to protect drug shipments, and harbored drug gangs in the presidential palace. His wife, Cilia Flores, has also been charged with ordering kidnapping and murder.
In Caracas, Maduro's government continues to maintain power. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, acting as interim leader, affirmed Maduro remains the legitimate president and denied Trump's claim that she is ready to cooperate with the U.S.
Although Maduro has few international allies, many countries have questioned the legality of arresting a foreign leader and have called on the U.S. to respect international law.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern that this U.S. operation sets a dangerous precedent and violates international law. The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to discuss the issue on Monday.
The arrest has also caused political upheaval in the U.S., with the Democratic Party expressing concerns about the government's Venezuela policy, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to brief legislators.
Venezuela's economic crisis and mass exodus from what was once Latin America's wealthiest country have unfolded over the past 20 years, resulting in one in five Venezuelans fleeing abroad—one of the largest migrations worldwide. Maduro's removal after more than 12 years in power could trigger major instability in this nation of over 28 million people.
. Reuters