“Maduro Removed, VP Claims Power: Venezuela in Turmoil”

Hours after a bold U.S. military mission removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power and took him out of the country on Saturday, his vice-president demanded Maduro’s release and asserted his rightful leadership in Venezuela. Early on Saturday, Caracas experienced numerous explosions and sightings of low-flying aircraft. Maduro’s government accused the U.S. of attacking civilian and military sites, labeling it an “imperialist attack” and calling for citizens to demonstrate. Maduro and his wife were taken from their home on a military base and transported to a U.S. warship before being flown to New York City to face charges for participating in a narco-terrorism plot. Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed casualties among Venezuelan civilians and military personnel. According to Venezuelan law, Rodriguez should assume Maduro’s position, but she stated on state television that she had no intention of taking power, instead advocating for Maduro’s release and reaffirming him as president. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado suggested that Edmundo Gonzalez, the opposition candidate, should take over, citing his victory in the 2024 presidential election. The Venezuelan constitution mandates a new election within a month in the president’s absence, but scholars are debating the application of this rule due to the government’s legitimacy issues and the U.S. military intervention. President Trump stated that the U.S. would assist in governing Venezuela, with no immediate visible impact. The operation marked the culmination of a sustained pressure strategy by the Trump administration and covert planning, representing the most significant American action for regime change since the 2003 Iraq invasion. The legal basis for the operation was not immediately clarified; however, the Trump administration justified it as crucial to combat drug trafficking. Trump also disclosed plans to enhance Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and boost oil exports to other nations.