Trump-Venezuela HIGHLIGHTS: Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, made their first court appearances in New York City, two days after the US captured them in a surprise attack. Both Maduro and his wife pleaded “not guilty” to drug trafficking and other federal charges.
Maduro also told the court he is “a decent man” and remains the legitimate President of Venezuela. He is next slated to appear before the court on March 17.
Maduro and Flores were charged in the US with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and weapons offences. President Donald Trump said the US is “in charge” of Venezuela and warned its interim leader to cooperate or pay a “very big price.”
Maduro pleads not guilty, calls himself a ‘prisoner of war’
Two days after being seized by US forces in Caracas, Nicolás Maduro appeared in a Manhattan federal courtroom and pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. Speaking through a translator, he declared, “I am innocent. I am still the president of my country,” and repeatedly referred to himself as a “prisoner of war.” His wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty. Maduro’s lawyers signaled they may challenge the legality of his capture, citing his status as a former head of state
Trump and US officials assert control over Venezuela
Senior US officials, including President Trump and aides such as Stephen Miller and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have emphasized Washington’s leverage over Venezuela following the raid. Hegseth revealed that nearly 200 US troops, including Delta Force soldiers and an FBI unit, participated in the Caracas operation. Trump said the US is “in charge” of Venezuela, citing military presence and control over the country’s economic levers. The White House has framed the operation as a law enforcement action targeting drug trafficking.
Trump projects Venezuela’s energy infrastructure could be rebuilt in under 18 months
Following Maduro’s removal, President Trump outlined plans to revive Venezuela’s crumbling oil sector, suggesting US companies could restore infrastructure and bring production back online in less than 18 months. “A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then they’ll get reimbursed by us or through revenue,” Trump said in an NBC interview. “I think we can do it in less time than that, but it’ll be a lot of money,” Trump said.
He also reiterated that Venezuelan elections are not possible in the near term, stressing that the country must first be stabilised and rebuilt. Senior officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance, are expected to oversee US involvement as the rebuilding effort progresses.
Energy policy expert comments on Venezuela crisis
Energy policy expert Narendra Taneja said that even though Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, it plays only a small role in global oil supply. He explained that the latest developments are unlikely to cause any immediate change in oil prices. Taneja also pointed out that the situation could open doors for Indian oil companies in the future, especially if sanctions on Venezuela are eased.
He said that Indian firms are familiar with Venezuela’s oil sector and have worked with the country for many years and added that Venezuelan crude is very heavy and cannot be processed by most refineries around the world. His comments came after the United States carried out a major military operation in Venezuela, following which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained and taken out of the country.
Taneja said Venezuela currently produces around 9 lakh barrels of oil per day, most of which is exported to China. He added that production could rise sharply to about 3 million barrels a day within a year if the United States steps in.
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Trump-Venezuela HIGHLIGHTS:
In a message on X, Petro said his government has conducted record amounts of cocaine seizures and warned the Trump administration that it would kill children if it conducts strikes against drug trafficking groups and rebels in Colombia.
Petro, who was a member of a left wing guerrilla group in his youth, said he will “return to arms” if the US government stages attacks in Colombian territory. The Colombian leader said he recently fired Colombian intelligence officers who are feeding the US administration with “false information” on his government.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro arrives at New York courthouse
Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has arrived at the New York courthouse ahead of his hearing on drug trafficking charges.
‘Maduro abduction is lawful, we’re not at war with Venezuela,’ says US envoy
The US envoy to the UN Mike Waltz has now spoken to the body, insisting the US is “not at war with Venezuela or its people”.
Waltz defended the US’s abduction of Maduro has “a law enforcement operation in furtherance of lawful indictments”.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Mexico’s Sheinbaum again rejects US intervention in Venezuela
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has doubled down on Mexico’s opposition to Washington’s attack on Venezuela and extradition of the country’s president.
“We categorically reject intervention in the internal matters of other countries,” Sheinbaum said, reiterating an earlier statement.
The Mexican leader added that Mexico is a sovereign country and is cooperating with the US on drug trafficking and security.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Spain condemns use of force in Venezuela, offers to mediate, says European Parliament
Spanish member of the European Parliament Hana Jalloul says Madrid is deeply concerned by events in Venezuela, warning that the use of force against the will of the population sets a “very bad precedent” and risks destabilising Latin America.
Jalloul said Spain has never recognised Venezuela’s last election results or President Nicolas Maduro, and has consistently supported the opposition, but rejects unilateral military action. She said Spain is calling for peace and for Venezuelans “to decide on their own matters”.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: How much oil does Venezuela have?
Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, with over 300 billion barrels available, even more than Saudi Arabia.
However, it accounts for less than 1% of the global oil production, a figure that was more than 10% of global production in the 1960s. Crude production has collapsed by more than 70% since the late 1990s, and Venezuela is now 21st in the list of global producers, DW News reported.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Bangladesh voices concern over Venezuela
Bangladesh has expressed “concern” about the recent developments in Venezuela.
“Bangladesh believes that diplomacy and dialogue should prevail to solve all disputes between countries and reaffirms her steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and international law,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Switzerland freezes Swiss-based assets linked to Nicolas Maduro
With immediate effect, Switzerland is freezing any Swiss-based assets linked to Nicolás Maduro. If any assets turn out to be of illicit origin, Switzerland will do its best to ensure that these benefit the Venezuelan population, the Swiss government said.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency session on the United States’ capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro today in New York City.
Venezuela formally requested the meeting of the council, which includes as permanent members China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as 10 other non-permanent member nations, according to a UN statement.
A spokesperson for U.N. Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement Saturday that the United States’ actions in Venezuela “constitute a dangerous precedent.”
US-Venezuela Live Updates: More photos of Maduro surface
Maduro shown being led out of a helicopter on his way to his first appearance in US federal court in New York.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Russia warns its citizens against travel to Venezuela
The Russian Embassy in Caracas is warning its citizens to avoid travel to Venezuela.
“In connection with the U.S. armed aggression against Venezuela and threats of further attacks, Russian citizens are strongly advised to refrain from traveling to Venezuela unless absolutely necessary,” said a warning from the embassy, distributed by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
More than 48 hours after the U.S. captured Maduro, thousands of Americans remain stranded abroad, with airlines scrambling to catch up after temporary airspace restrictions over parts of the Caribbean and Venezuela, NBC reported.
The restrictions, which were lifted on Sunday, affected more than a dozen airports and led to more than 1,000 flight cancellations during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year following the holidays.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Heavy security outside Manhattan courthouse as Maduro arrives
Law enforcement officials secure the area of the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse as Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro arrived for his initial appearance to face federal charges.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro’s latest photo
In his latest photo, Maduro can be seen surrounded by several US officials. He arrived at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport this morning via a helicopter.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro has appeared in handcuffs as he was escorted out of detention centre
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has appeared in handcuffs as he was escorted out of the Metro Detention Center in Brooklyn where he was being held and put on a helicopter, NBC News reported.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: EU sees opportunity for democratic transition in Venezuela
The capture of Maduro by the US creates an opportunity for a democratic transition in Venezuela, a European Commission spokesperson said.
“It is too early to look into and assess all the implications in terms of legal assessment,” the spokesperson said.
She did not comment on how the European Union would characterise the US action but said it “created an opportunity for a democratic transition, led by the Venezuelan people”.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Maduro arrives at New York federal court for arraignment
Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro arrived at a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Monday for a court appearance, Reuters reported.
One person has been taken into custody in the matter.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Venezuela’s oil industry faces “disruption” says energy analyst
Oil prices are under pressure after President Trump signaled his intention to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Nikos Tzabouras, Senior Market Analyst at Tradu.com has told Newsweek.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: What are the charges against Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro?
The indictment alleged Maduro and his allies “provided law enforcement cover and logistical support” to major drug trafficking groups, such as the Sinaloa Cartel and Tren de Aragua gang. These criminal organizations sent profits to high-ranking officials who protected them in exchange, the Justice Department said.
Among other specific acts, Maduro is accused of selling Venezuelan diplomatic passports to known drug traffickers and facilitating flights under diplomatic cover to bring drug proceeds back from Mexico to Venezuela.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: US must explain its actions in Venezuela to the world, says Germany
The United States must explain its actions in Venezuela to the world, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.
The US must “explain to the international community on what basis the actions we have witnessed over the last few days should be judged, and this has not yet happened,” a government spokesperson said at a regular news conference on Monday.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: France ‘regrets’ lack of respect for international law in US action in Venezuela
France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday voiced the country’s “regret” over the lack of respect for international law in the recent US military action in Venezuela.
“International law was not respected in the means of action used. We regret that,” Pascal Confavreux told the TV channel TF1, according to the broadcaster BFMTV.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Iran slams US actions as ‘colonial-era thinking’
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran’s relations with Venezuela are based on mutual respect and shared interests, stressing that this principle will continue to guide Tehran’s foreign policy, during his weekly press conference.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Trump warns Iran of ‘strong hit’ from US after Venezuela action
Trump warned Iran that it would be hit “very hard” if more protesters were killed during the current demonstrations over deteriorating living conditions.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late last night: “We are watching the situation very closely, and if they start killing people like they have done in the past, I think they are going to get a very strong hit from the United States.”
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Delcy Rodriguez chairs meeting as Venezuela’s interim leader
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Xi condemns ‘hegemonic bullying’ after US attack on Venezuela
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday condemned what he called “unilateral hegemonic bullying” in his first public comments since the US attack on Venezuela.
US-Venezuela Live Updates: UK minister’s take on what influenced US capture of Maduro
UK Home Office minister Mike Tapp was asked on Sky News about the possible factors that influenced the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
“This is for Donald Trump to answer, and I think he has said in his press conference, which I watched with interest around narco-terrorism and that threat,” he replied.
When pressed further on whether Venezuela’s vast oil reserves may have played a role, Tapp said, ” It’s not for me or the British government at this point to go into that detail. It’s for the United States to lay out its legal basis for this operation.”
US-Venezuela Live Updates: ‘US is in charge,’ Trump issues fresh warning
Although the interim Venezuelan government agreed to cooperate with the US, Trump issued a new warning to interim leader Delcy Rodriguez.
When asked who was currently in charge of the South American country, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One the US was “dealing with the people that just got sworn in. And don’t ask me who’s in charge, because I’ll give you an answer, and it’ll be very controversial.”
When pushed for more clarity, he said, “It means we’re in charge.” Also addressing the future of Venezuelan politics, he added, “We’re going to run it, fix it. We’ll have elections at the right time.”
US-Venezuela Live Updates: Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs pays tribute citizens killed in attack
Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to the 32 Cuban citizens who lost their lives in the US attack over the weekend. “These personnel were acting within the framework of cooperation between sovereign states and were carrying out institutional protection and defense tasks,” officials said in a statement. “Their actions were distinguished by their courage, discipline, and unwavering commitment to peace and regional stability.”
Meanwhile, the Cuban government said its citizens were killed “in combat actions, performing missions on behalf of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, at the request of counterparts of the South American country.”
On Monday, oil prices slumped amid concerns tied to supply disruption with the US having captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife over the weekend. According to Reuters, Brent crude futures fell 50 cents, or 0.8%, to $60.26 a barrel. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude was 53 cents, or 0.9%, lower at $56.79 a barrel.
“Even if Venezuelan exports are temporarily disrupted, over 80% are destined for China, which has built up ample reserves, and alternative sourcing is unlikely to strain the market,” Kazuhiko Fuji, consulting fellow at Japan’s Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, still maintained that the South American country’s oil industry was not damaged by US strikes, as per Reuters.