分类： politics

PARIS, France — The French government issued a stern condemnation on Saturday regarding the United States-led military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, denouncing it as a violation of fundamental international legal principles. Concurrently, Russia demanded the immediate release of the detained Venezuelan leader and his wife.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot articulated the nation’s position through a formal statement on social media platform X, acknowledging Maduro’s record of human rights violations against Venezuelan citizens while simultaneously condemning the American intervention. Minister Barrot emphasized that the operation “contravenes the principle of non-use of force, which serves as a cornerstone of international law.”

The French diplomatic statement further cautioned that escalating violations of this fundamental principle by permanent members of the United Nations Security Council would inevitably yield “serious consequences for global security, sparing no nation.” Barrot underscored that sustainable political resolutions cannot be externally imposed, reflecting France’s commitment to diplomatic norms and multilateral governance structures.

Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued multiple statements expressing profound alarm over the development, characterizing the American operation as “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.” Russian officials dismissed Washington’s justifications for the intervention as “untenable,” asserting that “ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism” in American foreign policy decision-making.

The Kremlin demanded immediate clarification regarding the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s apprehension and called for the unconditional release of both the Venezuelan president and his spouse. Russia, which had reaffirmed its support for Maduro following his controversial re-election in 2024 and remains Venezuela’s principal strategic ally in South America, stopped short of explicitly committing military assistance to Caracas in potential confrontations with the United States.

The coordinated responses from both European and Russian diplomatic channels highlight growing international concern over unilateral military actions and their implications for global security architecture. The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing Venezuelan political crisis that has drawn in major world powers with competing geopolitical interests.

CARACAS, Venezuela — The Venezuelan capital awoke to a transformed political reality Saturday following a pre-dawn U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture and removal of longstanding leader Nicolás Maduro. The city remained under a tense calm, with the distinct odor of explosives permeating the air as residents processed the dramatic overnight events.

Beginning approximately at 2:00 AM local time, a series of powerful detonations rocked the city of six million, initially mistaken by some residents for fireworks. The strikes generated substantial shockwaves that rattled windows throughout the metropolitan area, prompting many citizens to rush onto terraces and balconies as military aircraft conducted operations overhead.

Maria Eugenia Escobar, a 58-year-old Caracas resident, described the traumatic experience: “The explosion force literally threw me from my bed. In that terrifying moment, I thought ‘My God, the day has finally arrived,’ and I simply broke down crying.”

Strategic military installations including the extensive compound in the Coche neighborhood, La Guaira’s airport and port facilities, along with targets in Maracay and Higuerote, sustained significant damage. Eyewitnesses reported observing substantial smoke columns rising from multiple locations across the city, eventually creating a dense, haze-like blanket over the urban landscape.

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American special operations forces successfully apprehended Maduro, who now faces transport to New York for judicial proceedings. The President emphasized that no American casualties occurred during the operation, though Venezuelan military and civilian casualties remain unverified.

The city’s typically vibrant streets remained predominantly deserted throughout the day, with occasional vehicles passing through areas monitored by heavily armed security personnel in black uniforms. While numerous establishments chose to remain closed, limited commercial activity resumed at select locations implementing controlled customer entry.

Approximately several hundred dedicated Maduro supporters congregated at an improvised demonstration site, demanding information regarding their leader’s whereabouts and current condition. The gathering featured revolutionary music amplified through makeshift speaker systems alongside chants of “Long live Nicolás Maduro!”

Katia Briceno, a 54-year-old university professor participating in the protests, condemned the American intervention as “barbaric,” questioning the legitimacy of foreign powers removing a national leader. Meanwhile, Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino López accused U.S. forces of deploying missile and rocket attacks against civilian residential zones from combat helicopters.

President Trump indicated readiness for potential additional military measures, stating he remained “unafraid of boots on the ground” while suggesting the possibility of “significantly expanded” subsequent strikes if warranted. The administration committed to overseeing Venezuelan governance until completing an appropriate political transition.

Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado advocated for Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia—whom opposition groups recognize as the legitimate winner of July 2024’s contested elections—to immediately assume presidential authority. However, Trump dismissed Machado’s leadership potential, instead expressing willingness to collaborate with Maduro’s deputy Delcy Rodriguez, whom he described as receptive to necessary reforms.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a significant airspace advisory on Saturday, directing commercial carriers to avoid portions of Caribbean airspace. The directive cited an ongoing ‘potentially hazardous situation’ linked to U.S. military operations, which culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The aviation alert specifically warned of ‘safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity,’ effectively creating a no-fly zone for commercial aviation in the specified region. This precautionary measure underscores the scale and sensitivity of the military action undertaken.

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly confirmed the successful capture of the Venezuelan leader, describing it as the result of a ‘large-scale strike’ conducted on Venezuelan territory. This decisive military intervention represents a dramatic escalation in a prolonged campaign of pressure against Maduro’s government.

The operation follows an extensive period where the U.S. applied intensifying economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation tactics targeting Maduro’s socialist regime and its oil-dependent economy. Notably, this military action occurred just 48 hours after Maduro had extended an overture to the Trump administration, proposing bilateral cooperation on critical issues such as narcotics trafficking and illegal migration control.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that Jamaica’s rehabilitation efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa should serve as a springboard for tackling persistent developmental obstacles while simultaneously accelerating national objectives. During a media engagement in Black River after the inaugural Fireworks Festival on New Year’s Eve, Holness emphasized that the catastrophic event unveils a unique chance for nationwide transformative progress.

Holness articulated that the disaster necessitates reconstruction that transcends mere restoration of pre-existing conditions, which he identified as inherent impediments to development. The hurricane laid bare structural deficiencies, particularly in infrastructure design and urban planning, that have historically stifled growth. He highlighted severe congestion as a principal developmental barrier, citing inadequate road dimensions and traffic overcrowding as critical constraints.

The Prime Minister outlined a vision for constructing contemporary, functional towns equipped with modern amenities such as expansive sidewalks and sufficient parking to enhance mobility and livability. He affirmed that public safety continues to be a paramount concern, noting Jamaica’s achievement in reducing homicide rates to a 31-year low of approximately 700 cases.

Economic resilience remains crucial to recovery, with Holness referencing a recent quarterly growth peak of five percent—the highest recorded in years. However, he cautioned that economic advancement must be paralleled by social cohesion and disciplined public behavior. Addressing broader societal violence and dysregulated conduct is essential alongside crime reduction, he stated.

Holness concluded that societal peace, coupled with strategic investments in infrastructure, will catalyze visible transformations in both communities and individual lives across Jamaica.