UPDATE: Venezuela’s interim Government has just declared unwavering support for President Nicolas Maduro, who is currently detained in New York facing serious drug charges following his capture by US forces. This unprecedented event has plunged the oil-rich nation into uncertainty and turmoil, raising urgent questions about its future.
In a statement released today, top Venezuelan officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, asserted that the government remains united behind Maduro, dismissing his detention as a “kidnapping.” “Here, the unity of the revolutionary force is more than guaranteed. Let no one fall for the enemy’s provocations,” Cabello stated in an audio message shared by the ruling PSUV socialist party.
Maduro, aged 63, was apprehended after US President Donald Trump ordered military action that included helicopter strikes on military installations in Caracas. He is currently being held in a New York detention center, awaiting a court appearance scheduled for Monday, July 17, 2025. Images of him blindfolded and handcuffed have shocked the nation, marking one of the most severe US interventions in Latin America in decades.
The Venezuelan armed forces have officially recognized Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the interim leader during Maduro’s absence. Rodriguez, who also serves as the oil minister, is seen as a pragmatic figure due to her extensive connections with the private sector. However, she has publicly refuted Trump’s claims regarding her willingness to collaborate with the US.
The Venezuelan Government has long accused the US of attempting to seize its vast natural resources, particularly its oil reserves. Following Trump’s remarks on Saturday that major US oil companies would “move in,” Cabello expressed outrage, stating, “We are outraged because it was revealed they only want our oil.”
As the situation unfolds, the mood in Caracas remains tense but relatively calm. Many residents are going about their daily routines, with bakeries and coffee shops open, while some citizens stock up on essentials. A supermarket owner described the fear and uncertainty gripping the city, noting that they closed their doors on Saturday due to the US military action but are opening again to help local residents in need.
Opposition figures in Venezuela have reacted cautiously to Maduro’s capture. Trump has downplayed the possibility of Maria Corina Machado, a prominent opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, taking over, citing a lack of support for her leadership. Machado’s ally, Edmundo Gonzalez, claims he won a democratic mandate to assume the presidency, despite being banned from the 2024 election.
The United Nations Security Council is set to convene on Monday to discuss the implications of the US military action, which Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has labeled a dangerous precedent.
Maduro, who was indicted in 2020 on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The international community is closely monitoring this rapidly developing situation, as the future of Venezuela hangs in the balance.
As events continue to evolve, the public remains on edge, awaiting further announcements from both the Venezuelan Government and US authorities. Stay tuned for updates on this critical international story.
