Maduro's Arrest in the US: What the Military Operation in Venezuela Means for the World.

According to ТСН: During his appearance in court in handcuffs, Maduro claimed that the US government kidnapped him from his own home in Caracas. The session lasted only 40 minutes. He and his wife did not plead guilty to the charges of seizing power to facilitate illegal drug trafficking. Overall, they were charged with four offenses, including cocaine importation and illegal possession of weapons. The court hearing is likely to be lengthy and will resume on March 17, while Maduro and his wife remain in prison in New York.

On Saturday night, elite US special forces conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of the illegitimate president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, at their home. They were taken to New York in handcuffs and blindfolded aboard the amphibious ship U.S.S. Iwo Jima. After the successful completion of the operation, Donald Trump, who monitored it in real-time, announced the US's intention to manage Venezuela until a safe transfer of power following the elections.

Situation with the New President

The Supreme Court of Venezuela appointed Vice President Delsy Rodriguez as interim president. According to The Wall Street Journal, the CIA considered Delsy Rodriguez the best candidate to lead the interim government. Trump also emphasized his preference for her candidacy compared to opposition leader Maria Machado, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025. However, Rodriguez denied her willingness to cooperate with the US, stressing that 'Maduro is the only president of Venezuela.'

The question remains: can the US ensure a safe transfer of power from Maduro's regime to the opposition? Many Western leaders are concerned whether the Trump administration will stop there, as some believe its actions have opened 'Pandora's box.'

Conflict of Interest in the Oil and Gas Sector

Although the special operation to arrest Maduro was successful, regime change in Venezuela did not occur. Power remains in the hands of Vice President Rodriguez and security forces, who are still subordinate to Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino. During the operation, Trump announced that the main reason for the operation, alongside the fight against drug cartels, was control over Venezuela's oil resources.

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, and after Maduro's arrest, Jay D. Vance stated that 'the stolen oil must return to America.' Previously, American companies had interests in the Venezuelan oil and gas sector, but their business was pushed out by Russia and China during Hugo Chavez's presidency.

Meanwhile, Venezuela is reducing production due to a lack of storage capacity for oil, while the US continues its economic blockade. Trump expressed readiness for new military actions if Delsy Rodriguez does not cooperate with the US.

International Reaction to US Actions

The operation in Venezuela has significantly impacted relations with Russia and China, as Beijing has provided Caracas with substantial loans over the years. Despite questions about the legitimacy of the US military's actions, officials in the Trump administration stated that 'force, coercion, and power' define the new reality of global politics.

Western countries, including France and Italy, had varying assessments of US actions: some consider them justified, while others condemn them. Trump hinted that operations in other countries, including Colombia and Greenland, may soon be extended.

European leaders emphasized that Greenland belongs to its people, and only they have the right to decide its fate. The US actions in Venezuela have led to even greater political tension in the region.

The situation surrounding Venezuela remains tense, and future US actions could significantly impact stability in the country and the region. Increasing attention is being focused on how the new leadership will respond to US requests and shape its policy under international pressure.