Venezuela’s interim president has spoken out after US forces arrested President Nicolás Maduro during airstrikes on Caracas on January 3.
In the operation, US aircraft struck targets in the Venezuelan capital while special forces detained Maduro. He is now being held in New York, where he is awaiting a court appearance.
The action has drawn sharp criticism from around the world, with many calling it a breach of international law. Others, however, have welcomed Maduro’s arrest. Since his detention, Donald Trump has said the United States will “run” Venezuela — home to the world’s largest confirmed oil reserves — though he has not explained what he meant.
After being sworn in, interim president Delcy Rodríguez issued a message directed at Washington. She said Venezuela wants “balanced and respectful” relations with the United States and urged “peace and dialogue, not war.” Rodríguez said this has always been Maduro’s position and claimed it now reflects the mood across the country. She also invited the US government to pursue a cooperation agenda focused on shared development, framed by international law.
Maduro faces an indictment accusing him of using his position to traffic drugs into the United States. Reuters reports he has been charged with four counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy, along with weapons-related conspiracy charges.
Trump has insisted the operation was not an “invasion,” describing it as “law enforcement.” A joint statement from Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay warned the US actions set a dangerous precedent and risk civilian lives. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized international law, said Britain was not involved, but stopped short of condemning the operation.