-Venezuela Military Names Delcy Rodriguez as Acting Leader

Here’s a breakdown of‍ the key events and statements from the provided text,focusing⁢ on the US actions against Maduro and‍ the Venezuelan government’s response:

Key Events:

* Maduro’s “Capture” (or Raid): Maduro and his wife,Cilia Flores,were taken into custody in New York. The Venezuelan⁤ government is calling this an “illegal and ⁣illegitimate kidnapping.” A video shows Maduro being escorted by DEA agents.
* Charges: Maduro and Flores face federal charges related to drug trafficking and collaboration with terrorist organizations. Maduro denies these charges.
* US Operation: The US conducted a raid to apprehend Maduro, ‍resulting in reported casualties⁢ among his bodyguards (the exact number is unconfirmed).
* Trump’s Threat: Trump issued⁢ a warning to Delcy ⁤Rodriguez, stating ⁢she would “pay a very big price” if she doesn’t “do what’s right.”

Key Statements & Positions:

* Delcy⁣ Rodriguez (venezuelan Foreign Minister): Condemned the US actions as “barbaric” and ⁢a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty. She demanded the immediate ⁣release of ‍Maduro and his wife. ⁢ She also expressed willingness to have “respectful ⁣relations” with the Trump governance, ⁤despite the attack.
* Donald Trump (US ⁤President): ‍Appeared to threaten rodriguez. He also stated that ‍some US forces were involved and that there were some casualties.
* Marco⁤ Rubio (US ⁢Secretary of State): Described conversations with Rodriguez and the Venezuelan government as “delicate and complicated.” He emphasized the US goal remains the same, but ⁣now they ‍have someone they can potentially work‍ with, unlike Maduro.
* Padrino Lopez (Venezuelan Defense Minister): Claimed some of Maduro’s bodyguards were killed “in cold blood” during the raid, but did⁢ not provide specific numbers.

Overall ⁢Situation:

The situation is highly tense. The US has taken direct action against Maduro, arresting⁢ him and his wife‍ on serious charges. Venezuela views this as a hostile act and is demanding their release. There’s⁤ a mix of condemnation and a stated willingness to engage in dialog from the Venezuelan side, while the US appears to be signaling a shift in approach⁢ now that Maduro is in custody. The potential for further ⁤escalation remains high,especially given Trump’s threat.