Shortly after seven o'clock (Swedish time) on Saturday, January 3, several international news agencies reported explosions, low-flying planes and gunfire in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
A few hours later, US President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social that President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, had been captured and taken out of the country.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez spoke on state-controlled television, accusing the United States of killing several people in the attack and saying the country had mobilized its defenses.
Shipped to New York
Shortly before 5:30 p.m., Swedish time, Trump posted a photo of Maduro in handcuffs, a blindfold, earmuffs and gray tracksuits. About six hours later, at 11 p.m., Maduro and his wife landed at a military base in upstate New York.
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said that Maduro is accused, among other things, of plotting or preparing what is called "narcoterrorism", as well as of drug smuggling and various weapons crimes targeting the United States.
Trump said at a press conference that the United States would take over the government of Venezuela. He said the United States was prepared to carry out a second, much larger attack on the country if necessary.
The United States, together with American oil companies, would also take over Venezuela's oil industry and production. However, the oil embargo that applies to Venezuelan oil would remain in effect.
In court on Monday
Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to become interim leader. She was recognized by the military as interim leader.
Trump said Rodríguez must cooperate with the US; otherwise, she would pay a high price. He also said the US would continue to attack any boats suspected of smuggling drugs.
Maduro was due to appear in federal court in Manhattan, New York, on Monday at 6 p.m. Swedish time. There he would formally have the charges against him read out.
The outside world was closely monitoring the situation. The EU urged the US to exercise restraint and said that international law and the principles of the UN Charter must be followed.
Several countries condemned the US's actions, while Argentina, Israel and Italy, among others, defended the US.
