Three days after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a stunning military raid, the political and legal fallout continues to unfold on multiple fronts. Here’s what you need to know.
Maduro in Court
Maduro appeared in Manhattan federal court Monday, declaring “I am president of Venezuela” and “I was kidnapped” before pleading not guilty to drug trafficking charges. His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty, telling the judge she’s “completely innocent.”
Both remain in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center. Flores’ attorney revealed she suffered “significant injuries during her abduction,” possibly including fractured ribs. The next court date is March 17.
Who’s Running Venezuela?
Nobody knows for sure.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court swore in Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, but her exact whereabouts remain unknown—possibly Russia. She declared loyalty to Maduro while simultaneously inviting U.S. collaboration “within the framework of international law.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio backtracked Sunday on Trump’s claim the U.S. would “run” Venezuela, saying Washington wouldn’t take a “day-to-day role” beyond enforcing an “oil quarantine.”
Trump threatened Rodríguez anyway: cooperate or “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”
UN Emergency Meeting
The U.N. Security Council held an emergency session Monday morning. Secretary-General António Guterres called the operation “a dangerous precedent” and said he’s “deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.”
The U.N. special rapporteur on counterterrorism called Trump’s actions illegal and demanded he be “investigated and impeached” for alleged killings.
On the Ground in Venezuela
Caracas remains tense but quiet. Supermarkets saw long lines Sunday as residents stocked up on supplies. Roads typically filled with activity sat mostly empty.
The government says at least 80 people died in the operation, including 32 Cuban military officers who protected Maduro. Satellite images show extensive damage to Fort Tiuna, where Maduro was captured.
Venezuela’s National Assembly is scheduled to be sworn in Monday as planned. The main airport remains open, and flights to the Caribbean resumed Sunday after brief restrictions.
Political Divisions
Some Venezuelans celebrated privately, but many expressed uncertainty about what comes next. “I want to know what will come next,” said Nancy Pérez, 74, as she shopped for bread in Valencia.
Others objected to U.S. control. “I don’t agree with another president, outside of Venezuela, taking control of us Venezuelans,” Jenny Salazar said while stocking up in Caracas.
Thousands fled across the border to Colombia, describing “tense situations” and panic buying in Venezuelan border cities.
International Reactions
Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, and Chile condemned the operation. Colombian President Gustavo Petro warned he would “take up arms” if the U.S. attempts similar action against Colombia.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei praised Trump’s actions. The European Union called for restraint while acknowledging Maduro “lacks legitimacy.”
Oil Markets Respond
Wall Street celebrated the prospect of accessing Venezuela’s oil reserves. Chevron surged 5.3%, Halliburton and SLB jumped over 9%, and ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips rose more than 2%.
But major U.S. oil companies remain silent about Trump’s invitation to invest in Venezuela—a country that still owes them over $10 billion from previous expropriations.
What’s Next
Constitutional rules require Rodríguez to call elections within 60 days. Whether that happens—or whether anyone recognizes the results—remains unclear.
Trump told the New York Post that elections should wait until Venezuela is “stabilized” under U.S. oversight. He dismissed opposition leader María Corina Machado, saying she lacks popular support despite winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Congress is expected to debate limiting Trump’s authority for continued Venezuelan operations when it returns from recess.
For now, Venezuela exists in legal and political limbo: a country with a captured president, an acting leader whose loyalty and location are uncertain, and a superpower claiming control while the world watches with growing alarm.
