标签： Jamaica

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Caribbean leaders have adopted a position of cautious deliberation as Venezuela faces unprecedented political turmoil following the dramatic detainment of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife by United States authorities. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley characterized the rapidly evolving situation as “uncharted territory” during an emergency press conference on Saturday.

The emergency response was coordinated through the Caribbean Community (Caricom), with Mottley confirming she had been in contact with fellow regional leaders and Caricom Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett since early morning. An urgent pre-dawn meeting of Caricom heads yielded a consensus to withhold definitive commentary until more information emerges about the extraordinary developments.

Mottley emphasized Barbados’s fundamental foreign policy principle: “Small states can only survive in the international rules-based order.” This foundational position informs Bridgetown’s grave concern about any actions that undermine established international norms. The Prime Minister noted that both Venezuela and the United States maintain friendly relations with Barbados, creating a delicate diplomatic balancing act.

The crisis escalated when former U.S. President Donald Trump announced American intentions to administer Venezuela temporarily while facilitating a “safe, proper and judicious transition.” Trump further pledged that U.S. oil companies would rehabilitate Venezuela’s infrastructure. These statements contrasted sharply with Venezuela’s Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez’s assertion that Maduro remains the country’s legitimate president, despite photographic evidence circulated by Trump showing Maduro blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

Maduro faces serious indictments in New York federal court on narcotics and weapons charges, with the U.S. having previously offered a $50 million bounty for information leading to his capture. Venezuela has responded by declaring a national emergency and condemning what it terms “extremely serious military aggression.”

Mottley urged patience as the situation continues to develop hourly, describing any premature statement as mere “conjecture.” She expressed hope for de-escalation and dialogue rather than continued conflict, emphasizing that war serves no nation’s interests. The Prime Minister anticipates United Nations involvement to properly address the escalating international crisis.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – In response to recent United States military operations targeting sites within Venezuela, Guyanese President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced the full activation of the nation’s security apparatus on Saturday. The decisive move aims to safeguard national stability and protect citizens amid escalating regional tensions.

President Ali confirmed that the Guyana Defence Force and allied security services have been placed on high alert, implementing comprehensive monitoring protocols to assess the evolving situation. He assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure their safety and security.

Diplomatic channels have been vigorously engaged, with President Ali providing detailed briefings to Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Additionally, Brigadier Omar Khan, Chief of Defence Staff, has initiated communications with regional security partners to coordinate a unified response.

Concurrently, plans are underway to convene an emergency summit of CARICOM leaders to address the crisis collectively. President Ali also disclosed direct consultations with Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, regarding the security of the country’s vital offshore oil operations, which produce nearly one million barrels daily. Both parties confirmed a state of heightened vigilance and close cooperation.

LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared the United Kingdom’s firm alignment with United States policy toward Venezuela, stating that Britain “sheds no tears” over the downfall of Nicolás Maduro’s administration. The announcement came during a press briefing on Saturday where Starmer outlined his government’s position on the evolving political situation in the South American nation.

Starmer confirmed that high-level discussions between UK and US counterparts regarding Venezuela’s political future are scheduled to occur in the coming days. These diplomatic exchanges will focus on coordinating international efforts to ensure a stable transition of power in Caracas.

“The United Kingdom has consistently advocated for democratic transition in Venezuela,” Starmer stated. “We have never recognized Maduro as the legitimate president and therefore view the conclusion of his regime without regret.”

Emphasizing Britain’s commitment to international legal frameworks, the Prime Minister added: “This morning I reaffirmed my government’s dedication to upholding international law. Our objective remains a secure and peaceful transfer of power to a legitimate administration that truly represents the will of the Venezuelan people.”

The British position signals a continuation of the previous UK government’s stance toward Venezuela, maintaining pressure on the Maduro government while supporting opposition movements seeking democratic reform. This development occurs amid increasing international scrutiny of Venezuela’s political trajectory and human rights record.

CARACAS, Venezuela — In a dramatic escalation of long-standing tensions, United States military forces executed a series of airstrikes across multiple locations in Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday. The operation, which represents a significant intensification of Washington’s campaign against the left-wing government of Nicolas Maduro, reportedly resulted in the capture and removal of the Venezuelan president from the country.

The military action commenced shortly before 2:00 AM local time (0600 GMT), with residents of the capital Caracas and surrounding regions reporting explosions and aircraft overhead. The strikes continued for approximately seventy-five minutes, with social media footage depicting helicopter sorties and missile impacts creating substantial fireballs and columns of smoke across the night sky.

Former US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform at 0921 GMT that American forces had ‘successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela’ and confirmed that both Maduro and his wife had been ‘captured and flown out of the Country.’ Several hours after the initial attacks, US Senator Mike Lee corroborated these claims, citing Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that military operations had concluded following Maduro’s apprehension.

Primary targets included Fort Tiuna, Venezuela’s most extensive military complex located in southern Caracas. This strategic installation houses the defense ministry, a military academy, and residential quarters for armed forces personnel. AFP correspondents observed significant flames and smoke emanating from the complex, with visible damage including bullet-marked armored vehicles and trucks at secured entrances. Civilian evacuations were underway as residents fled the area with personal belongings, with one anonymous woman stating she was leaving ‘because they nearly killed us.’

Additional strikes targeted La Carlota airbase east of Caracas, where journalists documented burning armored vehicles and destroyed transportation infrastructure. Explosions were further reported in the port city of La Guaira, the north-central city of Maracay, the Caribbean coastal town of Higuerote, and regions along the Colombian border—a known corridor for narcotics trafficking.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López accused American forces of deliberately targeting residential areas with missiles and rockets, though these allegations remain unverified. Official casualty figures have not been released, with government authorities acknowledging they are still gathering information ‘on the dead and injured.’

The circumstances surrounding Maduro’s capture remain unclear, particularly given the president’s documented practice of frequently changing residences to evade potential capture. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded that the United States provide ‘proof of life’ for both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Russia, a key Venezuelan ally, has similarly called for immediate clarification regarding the president’s status.

International reactions have been sharply divided. Russia, Iran, and Cuba—all longstanding partners of Venezuela—condemned the military action as an act of aggression. They were joined in their criticism by left-wing governments in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia. Russia’s foreign ministry characterized the operation as a ‘deeply concerning’ violation of international norms. The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, urged Washington to exercise restraint and adhere to international law during communications with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Notably, Argentina’s right-wing President Javier Milei, a vocal supporter of Donald Trump, emerged as one of the few Latin American leaders to express support for the military intervention.

In an unprecedented military operation, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was apprehended by United States forces in Caracas and transported to American soil on Saturday evening. The leftist leader arrived under heavy FBI escort at a National Guard facility in Newburgh, New York, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing political conflict between the two nations.

Eyewitnesses reported observing Maduro surrounded by federal agents as he disembarked from a US government aircraft. The Venezuelan president was subsequently escorted across the tarmac under tight security, with plans underway for his transfer via helicopter to New York City where he faces serious narcotics trafficking indictments.

The capture operation involved a targeted bombing raid in the Venezuelan capital that successfully extracted both Maduro and his wife from the country. This military action represents one of the most significant interventions in recent Western Hemisphere relations.

Concurrent with the operation, US President Donald Trump addressed journalists from his Florida residence, announcing plans for temporary American administration of Venezuela. The administration intends to manage the country’s transition while accessing its substantial petroleum reserves during this interim period.

“Our administration will oversee national operations until we can facilitate a secure, appropriate, and lawful transition of power,” Trump stated, underscoring the temporary nature of the extraordinary measure. This development signals a new chapter in the complex diplomatic relationship between the United States and Venezuela, with potential ramifications for regional stability and international law.

WASHINGTON, United States — A significant development in U.S.-Venezuela relations has unfolded with the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. military personnel. According to Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the operation, indicating Maduro will face trial in the United States on criminal charges.

Senator Lee disclosed on social media platform X that he received direct confirmation from Rubio, who characterized the military action as necessary to protect personnel executing an arrest warrant. Lee suggested the operation might fall under the president’s constitutional authority under Article II to respond to actual or imminent threats against U.S. personnel.

The operation received presidential endorsement from Donald Trump, who described it as “brilliant” in a post on his Truth Social network. Trump confirmed that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country” in a joint operation conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”

However, the military action has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political aisle. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, condemned the operation as “illegal” and “the second unjustified war in my lifetime,” expressing concerns about its constitutional basis.

The controversy emerges amid broader apprehension among legislators regarding Trump’s escalating military presence in the Caribbean Sea, ostensibly to combat narco-trafficking. Administration officials report over 125 casualties in maritime operations targeting alleged drug-trafficking vessels since early September.

Vermont Senator Peter Welch has emphasized congressional concerns about these deployments, urging greater transparency and accountability under the War Powers Act. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for more congressional oversight before any further military actions are authorized.