US President Donald Trump is forcing the change of power in Venezuela – including with military force.
On Trump’s orders, the USA attacked the oil-rich South American country on Saturday night. Special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores during Operation Absolute Resolve. Both are on a US warship on their way to New York, where they are to be tried on charges of “drug terrorism”.
“We will continue to lead the country until we can ensure a safe, orderly and prudent transition,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Trump: Venezuela’s vice president wants cooperation
According to government information from Caracas, soldiers and civilians were killed in the US attack at 2 a.m. (local time). “We condemn this attack on our people, which has cost the lives of officials, soldiers, innocents and civilians,” Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said on state television.
Trump said Rodriguez was willing to cooperate with the United States. “We just had a conversation with her and she’s basically willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again, plain and simple,” Trump said. “I think she was very accommodating, but she really has no choice.”
A little later, Rodríguez called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife. The vice president, who according to the constitution is supposed to take over the reins of government until new elections are held if the head of state fails, called Maduro the “only president” of Venezuela and the US attack a “terrible stain” in bilateral relations. “We will never be slaves again,” she said, calling the attack a violation of the UN charter.
Nobel Peace Prize winner: González should become president
According to the constitution, if the head of state fails, Rodríguez would have to take over the reins of government until new elections. As Foreign Minister (2014-2017), Rodríguez shaped the confrontational course against the USA, which she continued as Vice President.
After Maduro’s arrest, Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado called for opposition politician Edmundo González Urrutia to be appointed as his successor. He won the presidential election a year and a half ago and should now take up his constitutional office immediately, according to a message published by Machado on the X platform.
Trump: Don’t be afraid of US troops in Venezuela
Trump made it clear that the USA was also prepared militarily to assert its interests in Venezuela. “We are not afraid of ground troops. And we must have them, we had ground troops on the ground last night. We will ensure that this country is governed properly,” he said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Venezuelan head of state Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by US special forces, had a choice. “He could have lived somewhere else and been very happy, but instead he wanted to play the strong man.” There was a US arrest warrant against Maduro. According to Justice Minister Pam Bondi, Maduro and his wife are accused of, among other things, “conspiracy to commit drug terrorism” and “conspiracy to import cocaine.”
For the USA, Maduro was wrongly in power
After his re-election in 2024, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud, the government in Washington no longer recognized the left-wing politician as the legitimate head of state. Because of Maduro’s alleged drug dealings, the USA is offering a reward of up to 50 million dollars (around 43 million euros) for information leading to his arrest.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified an operation. The measures were necessary “to protect and defend” those who executed the arrest warrant against Maduro.
According to lawyer Kai Ambos, the USA violated international law. When asked about the action by WDR, Ambos said: “It is contrary to international law because there are actually only two justifications for the use of military force.” According to the professor at the University of Göttingen, this is either self-defense or a mandate from the United Nations. The professor at Notre Dame Law School in the US state of Indiana, Mary Ellen O’Connell, made similar statements. She spoke of kidnapping.
Trump: Make Venezuela “rich, independent and safe”
According to Trump, major US oil companies should now invest billions of dollars to modernize what he described as the “severely damaged” Venezuelan oil infrastructure. A partnership with the United States will make Venezuela “rich, independent and secure.” Millions of Venezuelans in exile – including in the USA – would benefit from the planned measures.
The Venezuelan government accused the United States of violating the United Nations Charter. The aim of the USA is to acquire Venezuela’s natural resources – such as the large oil reserves – and to force a change of government. “They will not succeed,” the statement said.
Elite special unit Delta Force in action
The US broadcaster CBS reported, citing US officials, that Maduro had been captured by the US elite special unit Delta Force. The airstrikes reportedly targeted military bases, airfields, communications facilities and ports. Among other things, Fuerte Tiuna – the country’s most important military base – in Caracas was also attacked.
Venezuelan media and social networks showed footage of explosions and columns of smoke in the capital. A video from the broadcaster VPItv showed several helicopters flying over the city at night. Armored security force vehicles could be seen near the Miraflores presidential palace.
The federal government is monitoring the situation “with the greatest concern”
US allies initially held back from assessing the events. “The legal classification of the US operation is complex. We are taking our time to do this,” said Chancellor Friedrich Merz. In principle, the principles of international law should apply in dealings between states. “No political instability must now arise in Venezuela. It is important to ensure an orderly transition to a government legitimized by elections.” Merz went on to say that Nicolás Maduro had led his country to ruin.
The Foreign Office extended the travel warning for Venezuela. “A travel warning now applies to all of Venezuela,” said a spokeswoman. “German citizens in the country are called upon to stay in a safe place.”
/ngu/DP/he
WASHINGTON/CARACAS (dpa-AFX)