The recent public displays of Nicholas Maduro, the President of Venezuela, and his wife Cilia Flores have been deemed the final straw by the US team, leading to a military operation against Venezuela. According to a report by The New York Times, Maduro and his wife had been performing in public for several weeks before their arrest, with the President often mimicking US President Donald Trump’s signature fist-pumping style.
The report states that Maduro and his wife had been arrested by US special forces before being transferred to New York, where they are facing charges of drug trafficking. The operation was the culmination of a months-long campaign by the Trump administration to bring Maduro to justice.
Maduro’s public displays, including a performance of an electronic remix of his speech “No War, Yes Peace” at the launch of the International School for Women’s Leadership in December, had been seen as a challenge to the US administration. The report claims that the Trump team viewed these displays as a direct affront to the US, leading to the military operation.
In a televised statement, Maduro’s government refused to comment on the number of casualties, saying only that the operation was a direct attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty. The report suggests that the US administration had been monitoring Maduro’s public displays, with some officials believing that he was trying to test the US’s resolve.
Maduro’s refusal to accept a deal offered by Trump, which included his resignation and exile in Turkey, had been seen as a major escalation of the crisis. In a recorded message, Maduro had rejected the offer, saying “No crazy war.” The message was seen as a direct challenge to the US administration, leading to the military operation.
The operation has sparked a new wave of debate in Venezuela, with many questioning the legitimacy of the US intervention. The Trump administration has defended the operation, saying that it was necessary to bring Maduro to justice. The operation has also been criticized by some lawmakers, who have called for a congressional investigation into the matter.
In a statement, the US Vice President said that he was grateful for the support of Americans who had condemned the operation, and thanked the intelligence agencies for their cooperation. The Iranian judiciary chief has also warned that those responsible for the unrest in Iran will face consequences.
In a related development, the wife of Maduro has also denied the charges against her, saying that she is innocent. The Venezuelan government has also offered to cooperate with the US, with the interim president offering to step down and allow a new government to take over.
The UN Secretary-General has expressed concern over the situation in Venezuela, calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The UN has also emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty of countries and avoiding the use of force or threats.
