In a rapidly evolving situation in Venezuela following the recent military operation, US authorities issued a strongly worded warning on Saturday to their citizens in Venezuela, urging them to leave "immediately." Washington justified this measure by stating that the security situation in the country has become "unstable" and is experiencing dangerous fluctuations. This coincided with the first statement from ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from his detention in the United States.
A message of reassurance from a New York prison
A week after his arrest in a high-profile operation, Nicolás Maduro broke his silence from inside his New York prison cell. Venezuela's ruling party released a video of Maduro's son, conveying a brief message from his father: "We are fine... We are fighters." This message is seen as an attempt to boost the morale of his supporters, who have been shaken by recent events.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are currently being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn, following their appearance in a US court last Monday. The couple pleaded not guilty to the serious charges against them, primarily drug trafficking, and are awaiting their next court appearance scheduled for March 17.
Details of the military operation and its repercussions
Maduro's arrest was carried out through a US special forces operation accompanied by heavy airstrikes on the capital, Caracas. According to Venezuelan authorities, the operation resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people, further inflaming tensions in Venezuela.
In response to the internal situation, Caracas saw demonstrations of around a thousand Chavista supporters, carrying banners demanding the return of Maduro and his wife, and chanting slogans such as "Maduro and Cilia are our family." Despite ongoing calls for daily demonstrations since the January 3rd operation, the crowds were not as large as expected, and prominent leaders of the United Socialist Party were notably absent.
Background of historical conflict and tension
This event cannot be separated from the tense historical context of US-Venezuelan relations. Washington has long considered the Maduro regime illegitimate, particularly after the 2024 elections, which the opposition and the international community deemed fraudulent. For years, the United States has imposed crippling economic sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector and key government figures, accusing the regime of turning Venezuela into a safe haven for organized crime and transnational drug trafficking.
An uncertain future and a power vacuum
The arrest of Venezuela's leader has placed the country at a dangerous crossroads. On one hand, acting President Delcy Rodríguez is attempting to fill the political vacuum and solidify the domestic front, declaring during a visit to an agricultural fair: "We will not rest for a moment until the president returns. We will save him, of course we will." On the other hand, observers believe that Maduro's absence could lead to infighting within the ruling party or open the door for the opposition to regain control of the political landscape with international support, making the coming days crucial in determining the fate of the oil-rich Latin American nation.
