Trump:

They did an incredible job. These men and women who went out there last night—the courage they had going into an area where all the light switches were off.

We turned off almost all of the lights in Caracas. This thing was so organized. They went into a dark space with machine guns facing them all over the place.

Trump to Maduro loyalists:

Well, if they stay loyal, the future is really bad for them. If they convert—there’s a conversion factor—I would say most of them have converted. He’s had very little loyalty.

In fact, I noticed today that some people are marching in the streets waving flags, and they’re very supportive. They have American flags being waved on the streets.

Fox News: What do you see as the future of Venezuela’s oil industry?

Trump: Well, I see that we’re going to be very strongly involved in it. That’s all I can say. We have the greatest oil companies in the world—the biggest, the greatest—and we’re going to be very much involved in it.

Trump:

Maduro and his wife will be heading to New York. They were taken to a ship first—yes, the Iwo Jima. They’re on a ship.

Helicopters came out, and they went by helicopter. It was a nice flight—I’m sure they loved it.

French Foreign Ministry:

The removal of Maduro from power and the violation of sovereignty constitute a serious act of aggression against the dignity of the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.

Maduro’s arrest violates the principle of non-use of force under international law.

No lasting political solution can be imposed on Venezuela from abroad; only the Venezuelan people can decide their future.

Fox News: Will you throw your support behind opposition leader María Corina Machado?

Trump: Well, we’re going to have to look at it right now. They have a Vice President.

As you know, I don’t know what kind of an election that was, but the election of Maduro was a disgrace—just like my election was a disgrace. 2020 was a disgrace. And the real disgrace now—2024 was too big to rig.

Trump:

I have a very good relationship with Xi, and there’s not going to be a problem. They’re going to get oil.

We’re going to allow people to have oil.

Trump:

Nobody can stop us. There’s nobody with the capability that we have.

When I watch that war in Russia going on and on and on, with everybody dying, it’s primitive. It’s primitive. It’s horrible.

Russian MFA:

Russia strongly urges the US to release Maduro and his wife.

The U.S. Attorney General releases an indictment against Maduro.

Venezuelan Political Scientist Jesus Rodriguez:

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is second in the line of succession, constitutional succession, in the case of the absence of President Maduro, so she eventually, in a few hours, I believe, will be announced.

Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado:

Venezuelans, the hour of freedom has arrived.

Today we are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power.

To Venezuelans inside our country: be ready to carry out what we will very soon communicate to you through our official channels.

To Venezuelans abroad: we need you mobilized, engaging governments and citizens around the world and committing them, starting now, to the great operation of building the new Venezuela.

In these decisive hours, receive all my strength, my confidence, and my affection. Let us all remain alert and in contact.

VENEZUELA WILL BE FREE!

Venezuelan Political Scientist Jesus Rodriguez:

The facility and ease in which this kidnap happened is not a good sign of security measures surrounding President Maduro; that's a bad reality.

The contradictory statements of our defense minister and our vice president was not the right thing to do; the minister should have mentioned the kidnapping in the initial press conference.

Israeli FM Gideon Sa’ar:

Israel commends the United States’ operation, led by President Trump, which acted as the leader of the free world.

At this historic moment, Israel stands alongside the freedom-loving Venezuelan people, who have suffered under Maduro’s illegal tyranny.

Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and for friendly relations between the states.

The people of Venezuela deserve to exercise their democratic rights.

Venezuelan Political Scientist Jesus Rodriguez:

Constitutionally talking, soon Vice President Delcy Rodriguez should be appointed as acting President or President of Venezuela.

One scenario is that the U.S. might also try to kidnap and assassinate Delcy Rodriguez, who is a hardcore Chavista supporter.

Another scenario is that the U.S. government will show President Maduro as a trophy and claim victory against narco-terrorism to ease the tension.

Venezuelan Political Scientist Jesus Rodriguez:

The kidnapping of President Maduro does not mean regime change in Venezuela.

It is going to be hard for the U.S. to really provoke a regime change in Venezuela.

If you understand regime change simply as changing the president, they have forced that situation, but the movement remains.

There is a possibility they will try to negotiate or avoid more escalation if Delcy Rodriguez is in power; that is a scenario we have to see.

NYT Editorial Board:

Trump’s Attack on Venezuela Is Illegal and Unwise.

Venezuelan Political Scientist Jesus Rodriguez:

Our biggest mistake in Venezuela is that we do not submit to U.S. mandates.

There is hope that some countries in the region will demand answers and explanations in international forums like the United Nations, even though the UN is not expected to do much to solve the situation.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:

It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.

It’s about oil and regime change.

And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from Epstein + skyrocketing healthcare costs.