Venezuela and the world have been left reeling after the United States carried out a “large-scale strike” against the country in Caracas on Saturday.
A few months before this attack, the Trump administration had launched a major naval deployment in the Caribbean Sea and a series of airstrikes on Venezuelan boats that had killed at least 17 people.
US President Donald Trump also announced earlier that US forces had captured Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and that they were flown out of the country.
Trump says this operation was conducted in conjunction with US Law Enforcement.
Attorney General Pam Bondi later said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted in the Southern District of New York.
According to Bondi, Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States.
“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts. On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.”
Maduro’s government issued a strongly worded statement condemning the attacks, declaring a national emergency.
“The aim of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, in an attempt to forcibly undermine the nation’s political independence. They will not succeed. After more than two hundred years of independence, the people and their legitimate government remain steadfast in defending sovereignty and the inalienable right to determine their own destiny. The attempt to impose a colonial war to destroy the republican form of government and force a “regime change,” in alliance with the fascist oligarchy, will fail just like all previous attempts.”
In mid-December, Trump spoke about Venezuelan oil, claiming that the South American country took American oil rights and threw US companies out of the country. He also alluded that the US would seek to regain that control.
Venezuela nationalised its oil industry in 1976, transferring control from foreign companies (like Exxon, Mobil, Shell) to a state-owned company, ostensibly to gain economic sovereignty over its vast reserves.
Maduro has reportedly ordered all national defence plans to be implemented at the appropriate time and circumstances, calling on the entire country to “mobilise to defeat this imperialist aggression.”
It is unclear exactly where Maduro is.
In a statement shared on social media, the Venezuelan government says it reserves the right to exercise legitimate defence to protect its people, its territory, and its independence.
“We call on the peoples and governments of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world to mobilize in active solidarity against this imperial aggression.”
Several allies of Venezuela have expressed outrage at what they call US military aggression.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the American attack on Venezuela is a blatant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The US military attack on Venezuela constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and the basic rules of international law, particularly Article 2(4) of the Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force, and fully qualifies as an act of aggression. It must be explicitly and immediately condemned by the UN and by all states that are committed to the rule of law, as well as to international peace and security.”
Russia echoed these views, stating that the pretexts used to justify these actions are untenable. Russia has affirmed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people.
Cuba and Mexico have also condemned the attack.
The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has said the bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its President crossed an unacceptable line.
“These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community. Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step towards a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.”
He has urged the international community, through the United Nations, to respond vigorously.
“Brazil condemns these actions and remains available to promote dialogue and cooperation.”
The European Union has expressed deep concern. The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, says she has spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
“The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority.”
