In a stunning display of American military might and capability, former leader of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by an elite team of Army Delta Force commandos early Saturday from within Venezuela’s most heavily fortified base without the loss of any American life or equipment.
As reported on Monday’s AM Update, the complex mission was the result of months of highly coordinated efforts between multiple U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies, along with the U.S. military.
The action followed months of rising tensions with Maduro, an authoritarian ruler the U.S. and more than 50 other nations do not recognize as Venezuela’s legitimate president since, in July 2024, he lost an election in a landslide to opposition candidate Edmundo González but refused to leave power.
The Indictment
Following their capture, the Maduros were transported to a jail in Brooklyn, where they face federal charges filed in the Southern District of New York. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted the 25-page superseding indictment, modified from an original 2020 indictment against Maduro, on Saturday.
The latest filing accuses Maduro, his wife, their son, and three others of narcoterrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. According to the indictment, Maduro and his co-conspirators “have for decades partnered with some of the most violent and prolific drug traffickers and narcoterrorists in the world and relied on corrupt officials throughout the region to distribute tons of cocaine to the United States.” The charges carry the possibility of life in prison.
The Maduros appeared in a New York City court on Monday where they pleaded not guilty. When Judge Alvin Hellerstein asked Maduro to confirm his identity so the proceedings could start, the embattled dictator identified himself, via translator, as the “president of the Republic of Venezuela” who has been “here kidnapped since January 3” after being “captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
“I’m innocent. I’m a decent man,” Maduro said during the 40-minute arraignment. For her part, Flores told the judge she was “completely innocent.”
Who’s in Charge?
Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, is now the acting president of the country, following a Venezuelan Supreme Court ruling appointing her to the role for 90 days.
President Donald Trump initially declared that the U.S. would “run Venezuela,” saying America is “in charge of the nation for now.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that the U.S. wouldn’t actually govern Venezuela, but would instead press for changes through the oil blockade in place there.
Late Sunday, President Trump told reporters on Air Force One that the U.S. will oversee the transition to ensure Venezuela’s leadership is acting in line with U.S. wishes and reiterated that the U.S. is “in charge” of the country. He also made ominous threats to multiple foreign countries, including Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, and Iran.
The Analysis
The president coined the phrase “The Donroe Doctrine” – a play on the Monroe Doctrine of the nineteenth century – to describe his foreign policy maneuverings. But many are now wondering about the legalities of the mission, what is next for Venezuela, and what this means for the U.S. more broadly.
This week, Megyn presented all sides of the debate with Aaron Maté, Walter Kirn, Rich Lowry, and Glenn Greenwald. Keep scrolling for their reaction.
Did the U.S. Capture and Arrest Maduro in Venezuela… or ‘Kidnap’ Him?
Maté explains why he is skeptical of the action and believes it amounts to kidnapping, the potentially major consequences and ramifications of the move, and more.
Trump, Neocons, and the ‘Donroe Doctrine’
Megyn and Maté discuss Trump’s comments about Cuba falling next while hanging with neocons like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), what the “Donroe Doctrine” is really about, and more.
Display of American Might as Trump Targets Venezuela, Cuba, Colombia, More
Kirn breaks down why President Trump’s targeted actions abroad are a display of American might without further intervention, the way he is teasing potential further action in Iran and Colombia, and more.
Why Trump Is Taking a ‘Traditional American Approach’ to Foreign Policy with Maduro
Lowry explains how President Trump is taking a “traditional American approach” to foreign policy with his actions in Venezuela, the argument that his saber-rattling is all just about putting America in the best position possible, and more.
The U.S. ‘Keeping the Oil’ in Venezuela? And What About Maduro’s Dancing?
Megyn and Greenwald discuss the president saying the U.S. is going to “keep the oil” in Venezuela, how America is planning to “nurse” the country back to health, whether Maduro’s dancing had something to do with the military intervention, and more.
You can check out Megyn’s full analysis on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.