United States soldiers have captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. This happened early in the morning. He was taken to face serious charges. These include drug trafficking and terrorism. A court in Manhattan will hold the trial. The operation was fast. It included naval blockades. Oil tankers were also stopped. This news has surprised many countries. It has also affected global energy markets. Oil prices have gone up.
This action by the US is a big step. It is a major change in the long disagreement between the US and Venezuela. President Trump's government has called Maduro a "dictator." They wanted him to leave power. Now, they seem to have a plan. This plan may involve direct action and economic pressure. After Maduro's capture, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in. She is now the interim president. However, President Trump has warned of serious problems.
Relations between the US and Venezuela have been bad for years. Venezuela's economy is also in trouble. People have accused Maduro's government of corruption. They have also said there are human rights abuses. The US has supported opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. She recently escaped from Venezuela. The US is now stopping oil shipments. This is to hurt Venezuela's economy. They also stopped "narco-boats." This shows a plan to stop illegal activities.
The world has reacted with worry and anger. The United Nations Secretary-General warned that this could make things worse. He said it could create a dangerous example. Russia and China have strongly criticized the US. They said the action is illegal. An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held.
The global oil market is affected right away. There is uncertainty about Venezuela's oil. The US naval presence is also visible. This has caused oil prices to rise. Analysts are watching closely. The future of Venezuela is unclear. The world is watching these events. They are thinking about what this US action means.