Shortly after seven o'clock, local time in Sweden, on Saturday, January 3, explosions, low-flying planes and gunfire were reported in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
A few hours later, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife Cilia Flores, had been captured and taken out of the country.
Shipped to New York
Early Saturday evening, local time in Sweden, Trump posted a photo of Maduro in handcuffs, a blindfold, earmuffs and a gray tracksuit. About six hours later, at 11 p.m., Maduro and his wife landed at a military base in upstate New York.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that Maduro is accused, among other things, of plotting or preparing for what is called "narcoterrorism", but also of drug trafficking and various types of weapons crimes directed at the United States.
Trump said at a press conference that the United States would take over the government of Venezuela. He also warned that the United States was prepared to carry out a second, and much larger, attack on the country if necessary.
The United States, together with American oil companies, will also take over Venezuela's oil industry and production. However, the oil embargo that applies to Venezuelan oil will remain in effect.
In court on Monday
Maduro appeared in federal court in Manhattan, New York, on Monday evening, local time in Sweden. There he pleaded not guilty to all charges and said: "I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country."
Maduro and his wife did not request bail pending the next court hearing, which is scheduled for March 17.
In Venezuela, the parliament has condemned the capture of Maduro and given its full support to interim president Delcy Rodríguez - vice president under Maduro - who was formally sworn in on Monday.
Rodríguez has swung her rhetoric. On Saturday, she vowed to resist the proposed U.S. interim government, but she has since urged Trump to cooperate, saying she seeks “respectful relations.”
Trump has said that Rodríguez must cooperate with the United States or she will pay a high price. He has also stated that the United States will continue to attack any boats suspected of smuggling drugs.
