U.S. Forces Capture Venezuelan President Maduro in Unprecedented Military Raid

U.S. Forces Capture Venezuelan President Maduro in Unprecedented Military Raid In a dramatic escalation of tensions, United States military forces conducted a direct operation in Caracas on Saturday, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The detained leader now faces drug trafficking charges in a New York federal court, with his first appearance scheduled for Monday [41880][41460]. The operation, ordered by President Donald Trump, marks the first direct U.S. military attack on a South American nation in history [41064]. President Trump announced the capture, stating the U.S. would oversee Venezuela's government but did not provide a timeline for new elections [41460]. Following the action, Trump declared that "American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again" [41064]. The surprise raid has sent shockwaves across Latin America, creating a deep political split among regional governments [47126]. Nations historically critical of Maduro, including Colombia and Brazil, have offered cautious support for the action. Others, such as Mexico and Bolivia, have condemned it as a dangerous violation of international law and sovereignty [47297]. Analysts say the move revives the long-dormant "Monroe Doctrine," a U.S. policy historically used to justify opposition to foreign influence in the Americas [41460]. It also represents a stark return to a century-old pattern of U.S. intervention to remove Latin American leaders perceived as adversaries [41465]. The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency meeting for Monday at Venezuela's request to address what the country calls a violation of its sovereignty [41880]. Beyond the immediate crisis in Venezuela, the precedent-setting operation has forced capitals across the continent to privately re-examine their own vulnerability and relationships with Washington [47126]. Many leaders are now quietly assessing the risk that their nation could be next [47297]. U.S. Capture of Venezuela's Maduro Sends Shockwaves Through Latin America U.S. Capture of Maduro Sends Shockwave Through Latin America U.S. Captures Venezuela's Leader, Challenging China's Regional Reach Trump Revives US Habit of Ousting Latin American Leaders Venezuela's President Seized by U.S., Faces Court in New York Trump Orders First Direct US Military Attack on South America