US captures Venezuela's leader and his wife in a stunning operation and plans to prosecute them
apnews.com
The United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flown him out of the country in a stunning military operation that plucked a sitting leader from office following months of escalating Trump administration pressure on the oil-rich South American nation.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas. The government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states.

[…]

Venezuela’s government, in the statement, called on its supporters to take to the streets.

“People to the streets!” the statement said. “The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”

The statement added that President Nicolás Maduro had “ordered all national defense plans to be implemented” and declared “a state of external disturbance.” That state of emergency gives him the power to suspend people’s rights and expand the role of the armed forces.

    • sp3ctr4l@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      12·
      4 days ago

      With the ‘logic’ being:

      We indicted him as a narco terrorist, therefore:

      Domestically, we do not need to get a declaration of war from Congress before embarking on what very clearly does actually require one, and,

      Internationally, it is entirely valid to kidnap the President of another country, because we have indicted him as a narco terrorist in our own court system, and also because they stole our oil, somehow, or something.

      … Hope everyone is ready to get reacquainted with the idea that world of nation-states is a world of violent chaos that only pretends otherwise.

      Leader of Taiwan?

      Indicted by China, extraordinarily rendered to Chinese courts by force for trial, following mass naval blockade and special forces operation.

      Leader of Poland, Ukraine?

      Indicted by Russia, extraordinarily rendered to Russian courts by force for trial, via special military operation 2 or 3 or 4.

      … the precedent that was set by this action could quite literally end the world as we know it.

    • awaysaway@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      31·
      4 days ago

      that’s a major hit to their ability to fight back right? Losing a monolithic leader like would be a massive blow their ability to effectively resist. I have to imagine that’s why they did it but would be interested to hear different takes

      • Corporal_Punishment@feddit.ukEnglish
        19·
        4 days ago

        We will quickly find out depending on the reaction. If he really wasn’t as popular as he claims he was then I suspect the Venezuelans will do nothing and a new leader will be elected.

        If he was popular, then I see asymmetrical terrorist style attacks on american soil in the near future

      • tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        42·
        4 days ago

        Not exactly, they left everyone else, the structure is not as centralized as some, the people and government oppose the US and won’t support whatever puppet they try to install. They took him because it was a show of force with less risk, holding actual territory would have resulted in US deaths, so they do this and will have a show trial with made up charges to try to prove their narrative.