NEWS
Five words from custody, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro gives farewel message after he was captured together with his wife by the US forces during a large-scale strike on Venezuela on Saturday.
The pair was removed from their country to US, they have been indicted on drug charges in New York.
In a video shared on X, a shackling Maduro gave a 5 word message, but didn’t receive a warm reception from the many Venezuelan Internet users who mocked him in return.
“Good night. Happy New Year,” Maduro said.
The couple is currently in a detention centre in Brooklyn – reportedly the same facility that previously housed high-profile inmates such as Sam Bankman-Fried. Maduro is due to appear before a federal court next week where he will allegedly face numerous charges concerning drug trafficking and illegal arms dealing.
US President Donald Trump said in a press conference on Saturday, that US would run the country until a safer, proper and judicious transition is made. He also disclosed US talks with Maduro’s Vice President Rodriguez to takeover presidency as per the country’s constitution.
At least 40 people have been killed in the US attack on Venezuela, with the death toll made up of both civilians and military officials, a senior Venezuelan official has said.
World leaders responded to this attack with a mixed of condemnation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government would “shed no tears” for the end of Maduro’s regime.
Neighbouring Latin American countries condemned the actions, as did Venezuela’s long-term allies, Russia and China. China said it was “deeply shocked and strongly condemns” the use of force against a sovereign country and its president.
Russia accused the US of committing “an act of armed aggression”.
Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva wrote on X that the actions “cross an unacceptable line”, adding that “attacking countries in flagrant violation of international law is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the strikes an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America, while Chile’s President Gabriel Boric expressed “concern and condemnation” and called for “a peaceful solution to the serious crisis affecting the country”.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Cane accused the US of a “criminal attack”, while Uruguay said in an official statement that it was monitoring developments “with attention and serious concern” and “rejects, as it always has, military intervention”.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the transition of power “must be peaceful, democratic, and respectful of the will of the Venezuelan people” in a post on X.
He added he hoped González – the opposition’s 2024 presidential candidate – could ensure the transition.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the legality of the US operation was “complex” and international law in general must apply.
He warned that “political instability must not be allowed to arise in Venezuela”.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected”, his spokesperson said. He was “deeply alarmed” by the strikes, which set a “dangerous precedent”.
However, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged citizens to remain calm and to trust the country’s leadership and military, saying “the world needs to speak out about this attack” according to news agency Reuters.
Further reporting by BBC News.
