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

U.S. Forces Capture Venezuelan President Maduro in Unprecedented Military Strike 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 resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, who have been transported to New York to face drug trafficking charges [41880]. President Donald Trump announced the capture, declaring that "American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again" [41064]. He stated the U.S. would oversee Venezuela's government but did not provide a timeline for new elections [41460]. The action has sent shockwaves across Latin America, creating a deep political split among regional governments [47126]. Nations like Colombia and Brazil have offered cautious support, while others, including Mexico and Bolivia, have condemned the operation as a dangerous violation of sovereignty and international law [47297]. Despite public divisions, analysts report a private, shared fear among leaders who are now urgently assessing their own vulnerability to similar foreign interventions [47297]. The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday at Venezuela's request to address the incident [41880]. Experts warn the move revives the long-dormant "Monroe Doctrine," a U.S. policy historically used to oppose foreign influence in the Americas, and is seen as a direct challenge to China's growing economic and diplomatic footprint in the region [41460] [45747]. The capture sets a major precedent for the extraterritorial apprehension of a sitting head of state, an act conducted without the host country's consent [47297]. This intervention continues a centuries-old pattern of U.S. involvement in Latin America, which has included over six major military operations since the Cold War alone [40801]. 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 U.S. Military Actions in Latin America: A Cold War Legacy