U.S. allies and foes fear Maduro's capture sets precedent for more American intervention

By capturing Venezuela’s president, Washington sent shock waves felt far beyond Caracas

By capturing Venezuela’s president, Washington sent shock waves felt far beyond Caracas.

The United States stunned the world on Saturday by launching military strikes in Venezuela and seizing President Nicolás Maduro, swiftly ending his 13-year rule in an operation the Trump administration framed as a demonstration of American power, as President Donald Trump boasted that the U.S. possessed “capabilities and skills our enemies can scarcely imagine.”

America’s adversaries heard him loudest.

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A photo released by the White House on Truth Social shows Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday.via Truth SocialRussia and China swiftly condemned the strikes and called for the release of Maduro, who has been brought to the U.S. to face criminal charges. Iran and Cuba denounced what they called a violation of international law, their objections carrying an edge of unease that they, too, could find themselves in Washington’s sights.