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US captures Venezuelan president; Delcy Rodríguez to be sworn in

5 January 202635 views0

The United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has raised questions about compliance with international law, domestic political debate in Washington, and sharply divided reactions among Venezuelans at home and abroad.

Some US allies and legal experts have argued the action violated the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state except in limited circumstances.

Maduro led Venezuela since 2013 after being selected by his predecessor Hugo Chávez. He was sworn in for a third term in January 2025 following a 2024 presidential election that Venezuela’s opposition and several international observers said lacked transparency and fairness. The Venezuelan government rejected those claims and has continued to defend Maduro’s legitimacy.

Maduro’s administration has been accused by critics, human rights groups and foreign governments of suppressing political opposition, restricting civil liberties and using state security forces to quell dissent. His government denies systematic abuses and says it is defending national sovereignty against foreign interference.

US President Donald Trump has blamed Maduro for increased migration to the United States, alleging that the Venezuelan government released prisoners and psychiatric patients and encouraged them to leave the country. Venezuela’s government has rejected the claims.

Trump has also criticised Maduro amidst efforts to combat drug trafficking, particularly cocaine and fentanyl. His administration has designated two Venezuelan criminal groups, Tren de Aragua and the so-called Cartel de los Soles, as Foreign Terrorist Organisations. US officials allege the latter operates at senior levels of the Venezuelan state, while analysts describe it as a loose term for corrupt officials facilitating drug transit rather than a unified cartel.

Maduro has denied any involvement in drug trafficking and accused the United States of using anti-narcotics policy as a pretext to undermine his government and pursue access to Venezuela’s oil resources.

The country holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, estimated at more than 300 billion barrels. Despite this, production has fallen sharply over the past decade due to sanctions, mismanagement and deteriorating infrastructure. Venezuela currently produces less than one million barrels per day, according to international estimates.

Shortly after Maduro’s capture, Trump said the US would oversee Venezuela’s oil sector and involve major US energy companies in rebuilding infrastructure and expanding production. He said this would generate revenue for Venezuela while benefiting US companies.

Rajan Menon, a former senior fellow at Defence Priorities, said Venezuela’s oil potential likely played a role in US decision-making, noting that production could increase significantly if infrastructure were modernised.

US officials have also defended the operation as an act of self-defence and law enforcement. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz alleged Venezuela had coordinated with countries including China, Russia and Iran, as well as armed groups such as Hezbollah, and accused the Venezuelan government of facilitating drug trafficking and regional destabilisation. The Venezuelan government has rejected those accusations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the operation as a limited law enforcement action rather than a military invasion, arguing this justified the administration’s decision not to notify the US Congress in advance.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the capture of a sitting head of state set a “dangerous precedent”. The UN Security Council is expected to meet to discuss the situation.

Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime ally of Maduro and his former vice-president, is due to be sworn in as Venezuela’s president later today, amid Trump’s warning that she would face “serious consequences” if she failed to comply with US demands.