Arrest of Nicolas Maduro and Global Reactions

The United States has arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. In a special operation carried out at dawn on Saturday in the capital Caracas, US Delta Force commandos entered Maduro’s residence and detained them. The entire operation was monitored live by President Donald Trump from the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Sources said that since last August, the CIA had deployed a covert team inside Venezuela. Their task was to monitor Maduro’s every movement. Intelligence operatives reportedly knew when Maduro slept, what he ate, and even the whereabouts of his pets. A senior official of the Venezuelan government was used as a CIA source to gather operational details. Based on this information, the operation was executed with precision.

In November, a secret phone conversation took place between Trump and Maduro. Trump directly issued an ultimatum for Maduro to leave the country. When Maduro rejected it, Trump authorized the operation ahead of Christmas. Finally, on Friday night, Trump told the commandos, “Good luck and Godspeed.”

As the operation began, more than 150 fighter jets and helicopters took off from 20 US bases. Cyber Command disabled Caracas’s air defense systems and communication networks. At 2:01 a.m., Delta Force commandos entered Maduro’s compound. A gunfight broke out with the guards. Maduro and his wife attempted to flee to a safe room, but the commandos detained them.

After the arrest, Maduro was first taken to a US warship, then transferred via Guantanamo Bay prison to New York. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.

Following the operation, Trump announced that the United States would now run Venezuela and take control of the country’s oil resources. He described the scene of Maduro’s arrest as “like watching a television show.” However, many members of the US Congress have expressed concern about the long-term consequences of the operation.

After claims of a US attack on Venezuela and the arrest of Maduro, strong reactions have begun worldwide.

United States’ Position:
President Trump claimed on the social media platform Truth Social that Maduro and his wife had been detained and taken out of the country after the operation. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described it as a “new dawn.”

Colombia:
President Gustavo Petro said in a series of posts on X that peace, respect for international law, and human dignity should stand above all conflicts. Rejecting aggression, he announced the deployment of troops along the border.

Cuba:
President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the US action as “state terrorism” and called for an urgent international response. Similar statements were also issued from Havana.

Iran:
The Foreign Ministry condemned the move as a clear violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia:
Moscow expressed deep concern, stating that Venezuela should have the right to determine its own future without external military intervention. It called for resolving the crisis through dialogue.

Domestic Reaction in the United States:
Republican Senator Mike Lee said that there are no plans for further military action following Maduro’s arrest. He added that criminal charges would be brought against him in the United States.

European Union:
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the EU supports a peaceful transfer of power and urged respect for international law. The safety of EU citizens, she said, is a top priority.

Spain:
Spain called for de-escalation and respect for international law, and offered mediation to resolve the crisis.

Italy:
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, where about 160,000 Italian citizens live, most of whom hold dual citizenship.

The streets of Caracas are now marked by emptiness, fear, and uncertainty. People do not know who will hold power in the coming days. The announcement of direct US control has raised major questions about Venezuela’s sovereignty. The country’s political future is now plunged into deep crisis.