US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has insisted that the United States is not at war with Venezuela, despite a dramatic military operation that ended in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The comments come just 24 hours after US forces conducted targeted strikes in Caracas, apprehending the long-serving leader. Mr. Maduro and Ms. Flores are expected to appear in a federal court in Manhattan on Monday at 12:00 local time (17:00 GMT) to face charges.
Resistance in Caracas
While US President Donald Trump has suggested the US will now oversee the country’s transition, the situation on the ground remains volatile.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister, Vladimir Padrino, condemned the operation as a “military aggression,” claiming that a significant number of the President’s security detail and “innocent civilians” were killed during the raid.
Crucially, the Venezuelan military has declared its support for Delcy Rodríguez, who has stepped in as interim president. This suggests that despite the removal of Mr. Maduro, his socialist party and military allies remain in control of the state apparatus.
Trump issues warning
President Trump, speaking to The Atlantic, has already issued a stern warning to Ms Rodríguez. He stated she would “pay a big price” if she “does not do what is right,” implying that the US expects a total handover of power rather than a continuation of the previous administration under new leadership.
Key Developments:
- Court Appearance: Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are due in a New York court on Monday.
- Military Stance: The Venezuelan army has not splintered, instead throwing its weight behind interim leader Delcy Rodríguez.
- Casualties: Reports of civilian and security personnel deaths during the US operation are emerging from Caracas.
Our South America correspondent notes that this defiance from the Venezuelan military confirms that Maduro’s power structure remains largely intact, setting the stage for a tense diplomatic and potentially military standoff.
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