President Donald Trump has confirmed that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are aboard a ship and will be transported to New York to face criminal prosecution. The announcement follows Saturday’s controversial military operation that has drawn widespread international condemnation for violating sovereignty and international law.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that the detained couple will face drug trafficking charges, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicating the charges relate to narcotics operations that the Trump administration has long accused the Maduro government of facilitating. The operation represents a dramatic escalation in six months of growing tensions between Washington and Caracas.
The international community has responded with alarm, with UN Secretary General António Guterres warning through his spokesperson that the action sets a dangerous precedent and emphasizing that international legal rules have not been respected. Major powers including China and Russia have condemned the use of force, with Russia demanding the immediate release of the captured leaders.
European nations have joined in criticism, with France, Spain, and the European Commission all calling for respect of international law and the UN Charter. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that military operations violating the prohibition on use of force cannot lead to lasting political solutions.
Latin American responses have divided along ideological lines, with right-wing leaders like Argentina’s Javier Milei celebrating while leftist presidents including Brazil’s Lula, Colombia’s Petro, Mexico’s Sheinbaum, and Chile’s Boric condemned the intervention. Colombia has mobilized its armed forces in anticipation of refugee flows, and analysts question whether removing Maduro will achieve democratic transformation or simply perpetuate instability.
