The US's grip on Venezuela loosens, but a new intervention looms.
In a shocking turn of events, the United States' direct control over Venezuela seemed to fade on Sunday following the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro. However, the US government revealed a 15,000-strong force stationed in the Caribbean, hinting at a potential second military intervention if Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, fails to comply with their demands.
While Rodríguez publicly maintained a defiant stance, the details of her private discussions with US officials remain undisclosed. After Maduro's abduction, Donald Trump boldly declared that the US would govern the South American nation of 30 million. He later warned Rodríguez to adhere to US wishes, threatening severe consequences if she didn't comply.
Rodríguez, 56, initially swore allegiance to Maduro and denounced his capture as an atrocity. But the New York Times revealed that Trump's administration had identified her as a potential successor and business partner weeks earlier, citing her connections to Wall Street and oil companies.
Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, spoke with Rodríguez, who assured him of her cooperation. Trump shared this with reporters, stating, 'She was gracious, but she had no choice.'
In Caracas, senior government and military officials called for Maduro's return while supporting Rodríguez as a temporary leader and urging a return to normalcy. Venezuela's defense minister, Vladimir Padrino Lopez, urged Venezuelans to resume their daily activities.
Trump hinted at further interventions, expressing interest in Greenland. This sparked controversy and a response from Greenland's prime minister.
Rubio, in TV interviews, played down the idea of an invasion or occupation of Venezuela, claiming there was no war. He emphasized the absence of US ground forces and described the troops' presence in Caracas as a law enforcement mission.
Rubio stated that the US would maintain a 'quarantine' around Venezuela to control oil tankers under American sanctions, exerting leverage over Maduro's successor. He mentioned assessing Venezuela's actions rather than public statements.
The US, according to Rubio, has various means of influence if Venezuela's leaders make the wrong decisions. He criticized Cuba, Venezuela's key ally, but provided no further details.
Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican and Senate intelligence committee chair, echoed Trump's promise to govern Venezuela, but noted unanswered questions about the future.
Several countries, including Spain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay, jointly condemned the US actions as a threat to regional security and the civilian population. Britain, while not involved, refrained from criticism.
Most EU countries issued a statement urging restraint and respect for Venezuelan democracy. Caracas witnessed a tentative return to normalcy, with shops and cafes reopening, while officials assessed the aftermath of the raid.
Venezuelans formed long lines outside stores, anxious about the future and the possibility of a 'second wave' of attacks. Residents expressed uncertainty and fear, recalling the chaos of the early Saturday raid.
A young couple, Sauriany and Leandro, shared their anger and frustration with the US intervention, while others feared for their children's safety. In neighboring Colombia, President Gustavo Petro deployed troops to the border, anticipating potential violence or a refugee crisis.
Venezuela's defense minister, Padrino López, confirmed casualties among Maduro's security team, soldiers, and civilians. He vowed to resist imperial aggression and protect Venezuela's independence.
The White House released footage of Maduro's perp walk, leading to his arraignment in a Manhattan federal court on Monday. The prosecution intensifies the embarrassment for Maduro's supporters and complicates the delicate situation for his successor.
Rodríguez, previously vice-president and oil minister, must navigate Washington's demands for oil and security while managing a regime that clings to the socialism and anti-imperialism of its late founder, Hugo Chávez.
Diosdado Cabello, the influential interior minister, pledged loyalty to Maduro while supporting Rodríguez. The Trump administration's contentment with this regime adjustment, rather than a complete overhaul, has disappointed Venezuelans who hoped for democracy after Maduro's removal.
Trump dismissed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, claiming she lacked support. Rubio expressed a desire for a democratic transition but ruled out short-term elections, leaving Venezuela's future direction in the hands of its military and police leadership.
Caracas witnessed a tentative return to normalcy, with joggers and cyclists reappearing, but residents remained anxious about the uncertain future. And this is the part most people miss: will Venezuela find a path to stability and democracy, or will it remain entangled in international tensions and domestic turmoil?
