The political landscape of Venezuela has been thrown into turmoil following the dramatic capture of its President, Nicolas Maduro, by United States military forces. The operation, which unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, has ignited a fierce international debate, with Pakistan joining a chorus of nations expressing deep concern and calling for de-escalation.
A Dramatic Capture and Immediate Fallout
US Special Forces launched a complex operation in Caracas, targeting military installations and temporarily knocking out electricity in parts of the capital. The mission culminated in the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Images of the 63-year-old leader, blindfolded and handcuffed, were broadcast globally, stunning Venezuelans and the world. He was subsequently transported to a US Navy ship and then flown to the United States.
Maduro is now held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, awaiting an initial court appearance on Monday. He faces federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, which he has consistently denied. US President Donald Trump, who ordered the operation, stated the US would now take control of Venezuela, emphasizing his interest in the country's vast oil reserves. "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies ... go in, spend billions of dollars," Trump said, framing the intervention as a move to fix the nation's infrastructure.
International Reactions and Pakistan's Stance
The global response has been sharply divided. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, labeled the developments "a dangerous precedent," stressing the importance of respecting international law and the UN Charter. At Pakistan's request, the UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the crisis.
In a significant diplomatic move, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement expressing concern over the evolving situation. The spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan is closely monitoring events and attaches great importance to the well-being of the Venezuelan people. Islamabad urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, pursue de-escalation, and resolve all outstanding issues through peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter. The statement also reaffirmed Pakistan's active engagement in ensuring the safety and security of its community residing in Venezuela.
Other nations voiced strong objections. China "strongly condemned" the US action and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife. North Korea denounced the strikes as "the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty." Conversely, the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, stated the UK "shed no tears" over the end of Maduro's "illegitimate" regime and supported a transition to a legitimate government.
Political Vacuum and Domestic Standoff
Despite Maduro's capture, his government in Caracas remains defiantly in place. Top officials, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, have called the detention a "kidnapping" and vowed unity. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has assumed the role of interim president with the blessing of Venezuela's top court, though she insists Maduro remains the constitutional leader. Rodriguez publicly contradicted President Trump's claims that she was willing to collaborate with Washington, demanding Maduro's immediate release.
The situation on the ground remains tense and uncertain. Venezuelan authorities reported casualties among Maduro's security detail during the operation, and the country's state oil company, PDVSA, is reportedly instructing joint ventures to cut crude output due to export paralysis. With US forces having no physical control over Venezuelan territory and the existing government refusing to cooperate, the path forward is fraught with complexity, setting the stage for a prolonged political and potentially humanitarian crisis.
