Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had arrived in the United States following what was described as a U.S.-led operation inside Venezuela, though no official confirmation has been issued by U.S. or Venezuelan authorities.
According to the reports, Maduro was transported to the United States hours after an alleged strike that targeted multiple locations in Venezuela, including sites in the capital, Caracas. He was taken into custody and flown under heavy security to Guantanamo base and then to face criminal charges in New York related to longstanding U.S. accusations of drug trafficking and weapons offenses.
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly asserted that American forces captured Maduro and that the operation was carried out without significant resistance. Trump said the Venezuelan leader was transferred aboard a U.S. military vessel before being flown to the United States, where he would stand trial.
Venezuelan authorities have denied any official knowledge of Maduro’s whereabouts, demanding proof that he is alive and describing the alleged operation as an act of military aggression and a violation of national sovereignty. Venezuelan state television has continued to broadcast regular programming, including footage of pro-government demonstrations in Caracas, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
International reaction has been mixed. Russia and several regional actors have warned that, if true, the reported capture would constitute a serious breach of international law and could set a dangerous precedent. Some U.S. lawmakers have also questioned the legality of any such operation in the absence of congressional authorization or a United Nations mandate.
Analysts caution that an event of this magnitude, removing a sitting head of state and transferring him to another country, would normally be accompanied by clear, coordinated announcements and legal documentation. In the absence of such confirmation, they warn that the reports should be treated with caution amid a fast-moving information environment marked by competing narratives and misinformation.
