*As World Leaders React To Ouster
Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro faces a sharply contrasting life following his forced fall from power after 13 years in office, arrest and subsequent detention in New York by the United States (US) authorities.
He was handed sour New Year grapes after US forces violently ousted him from office in the early hours of Saturday on the orders of US President Donald Trump with whom the Venezuelan strongman has had a running battle over the latter’s alleged involvement in narco-terrorism.
CBS News reported Maduro arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC), Brooklyn, New York, about 8:52pm ET on Saturday.
He is expected to make an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court tomorrow, according to officials.
The MDC facility is known to have held several high profile inmates, including rapper Sean “Diddy”, who was held there during his trial, until he was sentenced following his conviction on federal prostitution-related charges.
Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX, who was found guilty of fraud charges, was also held at MDC, while Luigi Mangione, who is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is also held there.
Meanwhile, world leaders are split down the middle in their reactions to Trump’s use of the guns-a-blazing policy to remove a fellow President.
Reacting, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Maduro had “led his country to ruin”, but called the US action legally “complex.”
Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – a Trump ally – argued the US military action in Venezuela was “legitimate” and “defensive.”
France
France said the US operation undermined international law. The country’s President, Emmanuel Macron, called for 2004 presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia to lead a political transition.
UK
The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We regarded Maduro as an illegitimate President and we shed no tears about the end of his regime. I reiterated my support for international law this morning.” He, however, asked to be given more time to fully react as he has not received full details of what really happened.
Argentina
Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, an ally of Trump, posted on social media in the early hours: “Liberty advances! Long live Liberty!” while Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, said “time was coming for all the narco-Chávista criminals”.
China
China said the US should immediately release Maduro and his wife and resolve the situation in Venezuela through negotiation. The country’s Foreign Ministry said their deportation violated international law and norms.
Russia
Russia demanded for the US to “reconsider its position and release the legally elected president of the sovereign country and his wife.”
Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the US bombing and capture attack crossed “an unacceptable line” and represented “a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community.”
Philippines
Philippines urged “concerned parties” to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions, with the country’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson quoted as having said Manila is closely monitoring the “evolving” situation in Venezuela.
Colombia
Colombian President Gustavo Petro – whose country neighbours Venezuela – called the US action an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America which would lead to a humanitarian crisis.
Mexico
Mexico, which Donald Trump has also threatened with military force over drug trafficking, said the US military operation “seriously jeopardises regional stability.”
Cuba
Cuba, a strong ally of Venezuela, denounced “state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people.”
Spain
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the intervention “violates international law and pushes the region toward a horizon of uncertainty and militarism.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Maduro (driving,right), journalist Ignacio Ramonlet (left), Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores (back seat,left) and Communications Minister Freddy Nanez, during the last interview granted any journalist by Maduro just before US armed forces attacked his country, removed and arrested him.
