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.

VERY RARE: Footage shows a U.S. RQ-170 stealth drone returning to Puerto Rico after reportedly supporting last night’s U.S. strikes on Venezuela.

The RQ-170 Sentinel is a stealthy, high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works.

The CIA secretly deployed officers in Venezuela starting in August to track Maduro’s movements and daily routines, aiding U.S. intelligence efforts.

Source: NYT

Another footage of U.S. RQ-170 stealth drone returning to Puerto Rico from Venezuela.

Venezuela has asked the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting and condemn U.S. military strikes.

U.S. F-35 jets returning to Puerto Rico this morning after overnight U.S. strikes on Venezuela.