Maduro Faces U.S. Court as Trump Warns of More Strikes on Venezuela

Post by : Saif Nasser

Venezuela entered a new and uncertain chapter on Monday as captured President Nicolas Maduro prepared to appear before a federal court in the United States. His court appearance follows a dramatic weekend raid by U.S. forces in Caracas, an operation that has shaken Venezuela and sparked serious debate around the world.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that further military action against Venezuela remains possible. He warned that if the country’s interim leadership does not cooperate with U.S. demands, Washington could order another strike. Trump said the United States wants Venezuela to open up its oil industry and take stronger action against drug trafficking.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump also expanded his warnings to other countries in the region. He suggested that Colombia and Mexico could face military action if they fail to curb drug flows into the United States. He added that Cuba’s communist government appeared weak and might collapse on its own.

Maduro, 63, was detained during a U.S. military raid in Caracas on Saturday and flown to the United States. He now faces long-standing criminal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy. U.S. prosecutors accuse him of working with major drug trafficking groups, directing cocaine routes, using the military to protect shipments, and allowing drugs to move through government facilities.

The charges against Maduro were first filed in 2020 and were updated over the weekend to include his wife, Cilia Flores. She is accused of ordering kidnappings and murders linked to criminal groups. Both Maduro and his wife have denied all wrongdoing. Legal experts say it could take months before the case goes to trial.

Trump administration officials have described the operation as a law-enforcement action meant to bring a wanted criminal to justice. However, Trump himself has openly said other reasons played a role. He cited mass migration from Venezuela to the United States and the nationalization of U.S. oil interests decades ago. Trump said American oil companies would return to Venezuela, invest billions of dollars, and restart oil production.

Inside Venezuela, the government remains in place. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken over as interim leader and insists that Maduro is still the country’s legitimate president. She has rejected Trump’s claim that she is willing to work with Washington and has accused the United States of aggression.

The political future of Venezuela remains unclear. The United States has long viewed Maduro as an illegitimate leader, especially after his disputed 2018 election victory. However, Trump has dismissed the idea of installing opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, saying she lacks broad support. Machado and her allies argue that opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez won the 2024 election and has a democratic mandate.

International reaction to Maduro’s capture has been mixed. While many countries oppose his rule, several governments have raised concerns about the legality of seizing a sitting head of state. The United Nations Security Council is set to meet to discuss the issue, and the U.N. Secretary-General has warned that the action could set a dangerous precedent.

In Washington, the operation has also caused political tension. Opposition Democrats say they were not fully informed about the administration’s plans and have questioned the legal basis for the raid. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to brief lawmakers on the situation.

Venezuela, once one of Latin America’s richest nations, has suffered a deep economic collapse over the past two decades. Millions of its citizens have left the country in search of better lives. While some hope Maduro’s removal could bring change, others fear it may lead to even more instability in a country already facing hardship.

As Maduro prepares to stand before a U.S. judge, the world is watching closely. What happens next will not only shape Venezuela’s future but could also redefine U.S. involvement in Latin America for years to come.