US Raid in Venezuela Leaves Dozens Dead as Maduro Is Captured, Power Shifts in Caracas
Venezuela plunged into a new phase of political upheaval after US forces carried out a high-intensity military operation that led to the capture and removal of President Nicolás Maduro. Official statements released on Tuesday confirmed that at least 55 Venezuelan and Cuban military and security personnel were killed during the operation, marking one of the most dramatic interventions in the country’s modern history.
The raid, which began with air strikes on strategic military targets and concluded with a helicopter-borne special forces assault, resulted in Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being flown to the United States. Both appeared before a court in New York on Monday and entered not-guilty pleas in connection with drug trafficking and other charges.
Venezuela’s military acknowledged for the first time that 23 of its service members were killed during the US-led attacks. Cuban authorities separately confirmed that 32 Cuban armed forces and interior ministry personnel deployed in Caracas died in the same operation. The Cuban casualties reportedly included senior-ranking officers, highlighting the scale and intensity of the assault.
Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that many of the Cuban personnel killed were believed to have been part of Maduro’s personal security detail, which was largely neutralised during the raid. Civilian casualty figures have not yet been officially released by Venezuelan authorities.
Following Maduro’s court appearance in the US, Delcy Rodríguez, his former deputy, was sworn in as interim president within hours. Her swift elevation was aimed at maintaining continuity within the State apparatus as the country confronts international pressure and internal uncertainty.
International reactions were swift and divided. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum called on Washington to ensure that Maduro receives a fair and transparent legal process. In contrast, US President Donald Trump signalled conditional support for the new interim leadership, indicating willingness to engage with Rodríguez if she meets US demands, particularly regarding access for American companies to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Trump also intensified his rhetoric against Maduro, portraying him as a brutal leader responsible for widespread suffering in Venezuela. At the same time, he warned Rodríguez that failure to align with Washington’s agenda would carry consequences.
Inside Venezuela, concerns over civil liberties and press freedom quickly surfaced. Journalists’ organisations reported that at least 14 journalists and media workers, mostly from foreign outlets, were briefly detained while covering Rodríguez’s inauguration at parliament. Two additional foreign journalists were detained near the Colombian border. All were later released, but the incidents raised alarm among international watchdogs.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado criticised the interim leadership, questioning Rodríguez’s credibility and warning international investors against trusting the new administration. She reiterated her belief that a transition government must dismantle what she described as entrenched criminal and corrupt structures within the State.
The developments have far-reaching political and economic implications. Venezuela’s constitution mandates that new elections be held within 30 days once a president is formally declared absent. Machado expressed confidence that the opposition would secure a decisive victory in such elections, should they be conducted freely and fairly.
From an economic standpoint, the situation has reignited global focus on Venezuela’s oil reserves, the largest proven reserves in the world. Trump’s comments linking political cooperation to energy access underscore how central oil remains to Venezuela’s future and to international engagement with the country.
Regionally, the deaths of Cuban military personnel have also strained diplomatic equations, highlighting Havana’s deep involvement in Venezuela’s security architecture and raising questions about future Cuban engagement in the country.
Conclusion
As Venezuela enters an uncertain transition, the capture of Nicolás Maduro has reshaped the political landscape overnight. The combination of military intervention, leadership change, and looming elections has placed the country at a critical crossroads, with domestic stability and international relations hanging in the balance.
Whether the interim administration can navigate US pressure, manage internal power centres, and restore public trust will determine the trajectory of Venezuela in the weeks ahead.
Our Final Thoughts
The US-led operation in Venezuela represents a seismic moment with consequences that extend far beyond Caracas. While the removal of Maduro may open the door to political change, the heavy loss of life, concerns over press freedom, and the influence of external powers raise serious questions about sovereignty and democratic transition. As elections loom, the world will be watching closely to see whether Venezuela can move toward stability or slide deeper into uncertainty.
