The United States' military operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on a Saturday, and their subsequent transfer to New York to face trial on drug trafficking charges, ignited a sharp global diplomatic controversy and significant political upheaval within Venezuela. This unprecedented action unsettled governments across Latin America and prompted an emergency session of the UN Security Council, which remained deeply divided on Monday.

During the Security Council session, several delegations questioned the legality of the US operation, while others defended it. The United Kingdom, represented by Ambassador James Kariuki, stated that “Maduro’s claim to power was fraudulent” and cited his governance as the cause of severe poverty, violent repression, collapsed public services, and a regional displacement crisis. The UK reaffirmed its commitment to international law and sought “a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Government reflecting the will of the Venezuelan people.” Latvia, a non-permanent member, echoed these sentiments, asserting that Maduro’s regime repeatedly violated the UN Charter and was rooted in repression, corruption, and organized crime, posing a threat to regional and global security.

Conversely, the United States, through Ambassador Michael Waltz, rejected claims of aggression, insisting there was “no war against Venezuela or its people.” Waltz described the action as a “surgical law enforcement operation” to apprehend “narco-terrorist Nicolás Maduro and Celia Flores,” likening it to the 1989 arrest of Manuel Noriega. He alleged links between Maduro’s network and international drug trafficking, citing claims of extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary detentions, and the flight of over eight million Venezuelans, creating a massive displacement crisis.

China and Russia strongly condemned the US action. China’s representative called it “unilateral, illegal and bullying,” expressing shock at Washington’s conduct, accusing the US of trampling on Venezuela’s sovereignty, and warning of a grave threat to peace in Latin America. Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, described the operation as armed aggression violating international law, demanding the immediate release of the “legitimately elected President” and his spouse. He accused the US of pursuing control over Venezuela’s natural resources, risking renewed “imperialism and neocolonialism.” Other nations like Panama urged a democratic transition, while Colombia condemned the events, warning of severe migratory consequences and urging respect for the UN Charter. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stressed respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning the US action set a “dangerous precedent.”

Inside Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, was formally sworn in as interim president by the National Assembly, two days after Maduro’s capture. She pledged to pursue “all procedures, all platforms, and all avenues” to bring back Maduro and Flores, whom she referred to as “hostages.” Her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, was re-elected as parliament speaker, consolidating the siblings’ control. Maduro’s son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, also addressed the assembly, promising continuity and demanding respectful international relations. Opposition voices and protests, however, continued outside the legislature, with thousands marching in support of Maduro, despite fears of intensified political repression. Witnesses reported gunfire near the Miraflores presidential palace and observed drones in the area.

Following the arrest, Venezuelan police launched a search for collaborators, as per a decree declaring a state of emergency. The decree instructed federal, state, and municipal police units to identify individuals who supported the US operation, amid reports that the US military received assistance on the ground from someone within Maduro’s close circle. Additionally, 14 journalists, predominantly from international media organizations, were detained while covering political events in Caracas, though all were later released, with one foreign journalist deported.

In New York, Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons-related offenses during their first court appearance. Maduro asserted he remained the president of Venezuela and claimed he was “kidnapped” and “captured” from his residence, declaring himself a “prisoner of war.” Flores also identified herself as the first lady. US authorities had originally indicted Maduro in 2020 as part of a long-running narcotics trafficking case, with an updated indictment on Saturday adding Flores as a co-defendant. Legal counsel for Maduro anticipated complex litigation over what they termed his “military abduction,” while Flores’s lawyer noted she sustained significant injuries and requested medical evaluation.

Reactions from various groups and individuals further highlighted the complexity of the situation. The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria (VSCN) condemned the US actions as threats of military intervention and economic warfare, calling for the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, whom they described as “illegally abducted.” The VSCN alleged the US was targeting Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and green lands, warning against imposing leadership from outside its borders. Nigeria’s opposition party, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), viewed Maduro’s capture as a “clear warning” to illegitimate governments, linking it to Venezuela’s widely condemned 2024 presidential election. The ADC criticized the Nigerian government’s silence on the matter as “deeply embarrassing.”

Conversely, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado hailed Maduro’s arrest as “a huge step for humanity, for freedom and human dignity.” Tory leader Kemi Badenoch described Venezuela as a “gangster state” and supported the US action, citing Venezuela’s role in drug running, human trafficking, and harboring terrorists. Meanwhile, a controversy erupted over the British Broadcasting Corporation’s internal directive barring journalists from describing Maduro’s detention as a “kidnapping,” despite US President Donald Trump appearing unbothered by the term. Trump himself stated the US was now “in charge” of Venezuela, warning interim leadership to cooperate or face a “very big price.” The prospect of access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves also saw US oil companies' shares jump.