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 have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, marking the first direct U.S. military attack on a South American nation in history [41064]. The surprise operation in Caracas on Saturday detained Maduro, 63, and his wife, who were subsequently transported to New York to face drug trafficking charges [41880]. President Donald Trump announced the capture, stating the U.S. will oversee Venezuela's government and declaring that "American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again" [41064]. The precision strike, described by analysts as an act of "extraterritorial apprehension," involved capturing a sitting head of state outside U.S. borders without the host country's consent [47297]. The action has sent shockwaves across Latin America, creating a deep political split among regional governments [47126]. While nations like Colombia and Brazil have offered cautious support, others, including Mexico and Bolivia, have condemned it as a dangerous violation of sovereignty and international law [47297]. Despite public divisions, analysts report a private, shared fear among leaders who are now asking, "Who could be next?" and conducting urgent internal reviews of their own vulnerability [47297]. The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday at Venezuela's request to address the incident [41880]. The operation is seen as a direct challenge to China's growing economic and diplomatic influence in the region, where Beijing has become a leading trade partner and lender [41460]. Experts warn the move revives the long-standing U.S. "Monroe Doctrine," a policy opposing foreign powers in the Americas, and sets a major precedent for direct foreign intervention [41460][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 Venezuela's President Seized by U.S., Faces Court in New York Trump Orders First Direct US Military Attack on South America Trump Revives US Habit of Ousting Latin American Leaders