Venezuela Faces Political Upheaval After U.S. Detains President Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela entered a period of deep political uncertainty after senior officials vowed to remain unified behind President Nicolas Maduro following his dramatic capture by the United States. Maduro, 63, is being held in a New York detention center and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday on long-standing U.S. drug trafficking charges, a move that has triggered shockwaves across Latin America and beyond.

The U.S. operation, ordered by President Donald Trump, has been described as Washington’s most controversial intervention in the region since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Trump claimed the United States would now take control of Venezuela, a nation with the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Venezuelan authorities, however, rejected that assertion, calling Maduro’s detention a kidnapping and insisting the government remains firmly in power in Caracas.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the ruling socialist party and security forces were fully united and warned supporters not to fall for what he called “enemy provocations.” Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino accused the U.S. action of killing soldiers and civilians, saying the armed forces had been activated nationwide to defend sovereignty. Images of Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed circulated widely, intensifying public anxiety.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has assumed interim leadership with the backing of Venezuela’s top court, while maintaining that Maduro is still president. Rodriguez, who also oversees the oil sector, is viewed as a pragmatic figure but has denied U.S. claims that she is open to cooperation with Washington. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuela’s future leadership must align with U.S. interests, including limiting the influence of rival powers and curbing drug trafficking, pointing to sanctions and an oil tanker blockade as leverage.

On the streets of Caracas and other cities, daily life continued cautiously. Some pro-government supporters rallied, while others quietly stocked up on food amid fears of instability. Opposition figures remained guarded, as Trump dismissed the idea of a leadership transition led by prominent opposition voices.

Internationally, the seizure raised serious legal questions. While the Trump administration framed the move as a law enforcement action, critics warned it could violate international law. The United Nations Security Council is set to convene, as Russia and China condemned the U.S. move, setting the stage for a broader geopolitical confrontation over Venezuela’s future.