PR in the Philippines

Late Sunday, the President forecast that Cuba was "ready to fall" following the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, cautioning that Havana could no longer depend on Caracas for security and oil supplies.Trump stated that Cuba’s destiny is now closely linked to Maduro’s removal from power and the breakdown of Venezuela’s capacity to financially support its regional allies.When asked if he was considering U.S. action, Trump responded: "I think it’s just going to fall. I don’t think we need any action. Looks like it’s going down. It’s going down for the count."The president’s remarks during an impromptu press session with reporters on Air Force One came after Saturday’s [blank] on charges related to a narco-terrorism conspiracy. This bold operation has sent shockwaves through allied governments in the region, with Cuban officials calling for rallies in solidarity with Venezuela and accusing the U.S. of violating sovereignty.U.S. officials assert that Cuban security forces played a pivotal role in maintaining Maduro’s grip on power. The Secretary of State [blank] noted that Cuban operatives essentially managed Venezuela’s internal intelligence and security activities—including personally guarding Maduro and monitoring loyalty within his administration."It was Cubans that guarded Maduro," Rubio said. "He was not guarded by Venezuelan bodyguards. He had Cuban bodyguards."On Sunday, Cuba’s government confirmed that 32 Cuban military and police officers died during the U.S. operation in Venezuela—marking the first official death toll released by Havana. Cuban state media reported that the officers had been deployed at Caracas’ request and announced two days of national mourning.While traveling back to Washington, Trump verified the existence of Cuban casualties."A lot of Cubans were killed yesterday," he said. "There was a lot of death on the other side. No death on our side."Trump also targeted neighboring Colombia, accusing its leadership of fueling [blank] into the U.S."Colombia is very sick, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States," Trump said, adding that the country, "is not going to be doing it for a very long time."He indicated the U.S. was prepared to act against narco-trafficking networks operating by land and sea, citing recent interdictions.Trump also revived his long-standing focus on Greenland, arguing the Arctic territory is critical to U.S. security amid growing Russian and Chinese activity."We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security," Trump said. "Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place."Trump has characterized Saturday’s operation as part of a broader effort to reassert [blank], invoking the Monroe Doctrine and warning that hostile regimes can no longer rely on one another for survival.Maduro is scheduled to be arraigned in a federal court in New York on Monday.

The United Kingdom confirmed on Sunday that British and French military aircraft had attacked an underground site thought to have served as a weapons and explosives storage location for Islamic State fighters.The operation occurred on Saturday night in a mountainous area located north of Palmyra within Syria's Homs province.According to a Ministry of Defence statement, fighter jets, backed by a Voyager refueling tanker, collaborated with French planes to target entrance tunnels that provided access to the subterranean facility.The mission also employed Paveway IV precision-guided munitions.The ministry indicated that while evaluation was still in progress, early reports pointed to a successful strike on the objective.The United Kingdom and France participate as members of the American-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, established to confront the extremist organization following its earlier capture of substantial territory in Iraq and Syria.Sir John Healey, the U.K. Secretary of State for Defence, stated that the operation demonstrated Britain's resolve to block any Islamic State revival and to remain united with allied nations in combating extremist violence in the .The strike occurred against a backdrop of ongoing U.S. military operations in Syria, where American troops have been carrying out counterterrorism assignments.In December, the across central Syria.This action responded to a deadly ambush near Palmyra that claimed the lives of two American service members and one U.S. civilian interpreter.As previously reported by Digital, according to U.S. Central Command, despite sustained pressure from coalition forces.CENTCOM said recent U.S. operations in the region have also targeted infrastructure andAdmiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, declared in a December 30 statement, "We will not relent.""Our commitment remains firm to collaborate with regional allies in eliminating the ISIS threat to American and regional security."Digital has contacted the U.K. Ministry of Defence seeking comment.

The day after elite U.S. forces arrested wanted narco-terrorist and former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, the Secretary of State declared that the Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah would cease all operations in the South American nation.The Iranian regime-backed group is responsible for both the U.S. embassy bombing—which killed 63 people—and the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, where 241 U.S. service members died.Speaking on CBS’ "Face the Nation," Rubio stated, "It’s very straightforward, okay? In the 21st century, under the Trump administration, we won’t allow a country like Venezuela in our own hemisphere to be a sphere of control and a crossroads for Hezbollah, Iran, and every other malicious influence in the world. That simply isn’t going to happen." He also told NBC’s "Meet the Press" that regarding Venezuela, this meant, "No more Iran/Hezbollah presence there."Walid Phares, a Hezbollah expert who has advised U.S. presidential candidates, told Digital, "Hezbollah has a and has become a major security issue in Latin America, especially after the September 11, 2001, attacks. Hezbollah’s presence in Venezuela started in the mid-1980s, when the group began recruiting from parts of the local Lebanese diaspora."He pointed out that Hezbollah grew more influential after late Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez solidified power in 2002. "During this time, Hezbollah’s presence became more noticeable, with reports saying some members gained access to , including security agencies, often by obtaining Venezuelan passports and legal papers. These changes helped Hezbollah-linked networks spread across Latin America—into Brazil, Argentina, and Chile—and reportedly reach the U.S.-Mexico border."Phares stated, "Hezbollah is thought to have a large presence across Venezuela, including command-and-control units in Caracas. Margarita Island is often mentioned in open-source reports as a logistical center for activities like financial operations, intelligence gathering, and alleged drug trafficking. Further public reports have suggested Venezuela cooperated with Iranian and Hezbollah-linked operations targeting Iranian dissidents overseas, including attempted kidnappings and intimidation campaigns in the Western Hemisphere."After Maduro’s capture, the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hezbollah criticized the U.S. Hezbollah said it "condemns the terrorist aggression and American bullying against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela" and "further affirms its complete solidarity with Venezuela—its people, presidency, and government—in facing this American aggression and arrogance."Phares addressed the difficult task of removing embedded Hezbollah operatives from Venezuela’s state and society. He said, "One approach could be to rely on a post-Maduro transitional authority that has promised to dismantle terrorist networks. In reality, though, it’s likely that would take a leading role in identifying and disrupting pro-Iranian networks operating in Venezuela."Matthew Levitt, a Hezbollah scholar from the Washington Institute, told Digital, "Everything depends on what kind of regime follows. Trump’s statements leave that unclear. But there’s an opportunity to tackle Hezbollah’s long-standing presence in Venezuela and the broader strategic relationship between Venezuela and Iran."Carrie Filipetti, executive director of the Vandenberg Coalition and a deputy assistant secretary of state during Trump’s first term, told Digital, "One of the many ways the Iranian and Maduro regimes collaborated until Maduro’s arrest was providing a safe haven for Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah exploited the lack of rule of law in Venezuela and parts of Latin America to engage in drug-related money laundering. They’re also thought to have used Maduro regime connections to get Venezuelan passports for Hezbollah members.""It’s no surprise that the plot to kidnap Iranian American journalist Masih Alinejad involved taking her to Caracas by speedboat," she noted. "Under Maduro, Hezbollah and Iran knew they could operate without consequences there—spreading anti-American propaganda and planning anti-American attacks. Whether the Maduro-Hezbollah relationship has any implications now that Maduro is gone depends on whether regime insiders stay in power."

A rural market in central Nigeria was raided, resulting in dozens of fatalities and numerous kidnappings, police reported on Sunday.Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun, cited by Reuters, stated that "Over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, and some persons were also kidnapped. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims."Abiodun detailed that the gunmen assaulted the Daji market in Demo village, located in Nigeria’s Niger state, around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, setting fire to stalls and confiscating food supplies.Eyewitnesses described observing the gunmen prior to them opening fire.Local residents indicated that this assault occurred after previous raids in nearby villages, such as Agwarra and Borgu, which had commenced on Friday.Dauda Shakulle, who sustained injuries while escaping, stated that not even women or children were spared."There has been no since the attacks began. We are currently recovering corpses," Shakulle added.The Nigerian Police Force did not provide an immediate response to Digital's inquiry for comment regarding the incident.This attack occurs amidst a surge of mass kidnappings throughout Nigeria in recent months, encompassing the abduction of 25 girls from a boarding school in in November and the seizure of more than and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Niger state.The Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), a Catholic religious congregation, confirmed that all individuals abducted from the school have since been safely released. "From the first hours of the abduction, the OLA family—together with the local Church in the Diocese of Kontagora, the families of Papiri, and communities across Nigeria—was upheld by a remarkable global solidarity of prayer and advocacy. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to all who stood with us during this painful time," stated Sister Mary Barron, the congregation leader of the OLA Sisters.According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), escalating insecurity and insurgent violence in northern Nigeria are pushing hunger to unprecedented levels, with projections indicating that nearly 35 million people will experience severe food insecurity during the 2026 lean season.The in November indicated that unchecked hunger during the lean season—the pre-harvest period when food supplies are typically at their lowest—could further destabilize the region by enabling insurgent groups to capitalize on desperation and broaden their influence.

With [redacted] extracted from Caracas on January 3, Venezuelans and the world are eager to learn what the future holds.At a press conference following Saturday’s Maduro operation, President [redacted] announced that the U.S. will “run the country” until a safe transition can be achieved.Isaias Medina, an international lawyer and former senior Venezuelan diplomat, said a peaceful transition is critical for the 9 to 10 million Venezuelans who are forcibly displaced and living in exile. Medina—who resigned his diplomatic post in 2017 to protest Maduro’s rule—told [redacted] Digital that exiled Venezuelans “have been preparing to return and rebuild our nation.”With support from international organizations like the Organization of American States, Medina said Venezuela’s most important next step is to establish a transitional government capable of restoring the rule of law and rebuilding institutions decimated under the Maduro regime. Setting up free and fair elections is particularly vital, Medina noted, calling it “a legal obligation owed to [Venezuela’s] people, because on their occupied territory, elections were never equitable or truly free.”Under Maduro, Medina stated: “There was no separation of powers, no rule of law, not even sovereignty.” Instead, he said Venezuela was an occupied territory heavily influenced by [redacted] Hamas, Hezbollah, the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)—groups that exploited the country’s resources.David Daoud, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told [redacted] Digital that as long as Venezuela poses no threat to U.S. national security, the “ideal situation” for the country “would be American guidance for determined local action.” “The best we can help Venezuela become is a productive member of the global community—and we can do that with a softer touch, no boots on the ground,” Daoud said. “I don’t think we need to be in the business of creating Jeffersonian democracies anywhere.”Following Maduro’s ouster, Daoud said the level of chaos inside Venezuela will determine whether [redacted] can continue operating there. “It would really depend—does post-Maduro Venezuela become a stable state that can fully control its territory, prioritize the rule of law and reject corruption? That would make it very, very complicated—if not impossible—for Hezbollah to operate, at least in the way it has for over a decade, since its ties to the original Chávez regime began.”Looking ahead, Medina suggested the country must also manage guerrilla forces like the colectivos—violent Venezuelan groups armed and trained with old U.S. and Russian military weapons. He said getting these guerrillas to “return weapons for freedom” could help “unite the nation under one banner of development and progress… so we can have a country that meets the expectations of both its natural riches and its people—including their needs for education, training and jobs, all of which were deliberately destroyed.”Though the road ahead is uncertain, Medina is hopeful. “We face a great journey to build from the ruins this regime left us. But I believe we will grow stronger, and this is the moment. The time has come,” Medina said.

The Saturday apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife is drawing parallels to the dramatic 1989 removal of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, an event that occurred exactly 36 years prior to Maduro's January 3 capture.Under the administration of former President George H.W. Bush, U.S. military forces initiated an invasion of Panama in the early morning of December 20, 1989, charging Noriega with collaborating with drug cartels to smuggle cocaine into the United States.He was also accused of interfering with Panama's 1989 presidential election."The objective was to reinstate the democratically elected government of Guillermo Endara and apprehend Noriega on narcotics charges," as stated on the U.S. Army's website. "Operation Just Cause was, at that time, the biggest and most intricate combat mission since the Vietnam War."Much like the operation targeting Maduro this past Saturday, the 1989 mission moved forward without clear congressional approval, according to reports.Noriega's capture, however, spanned several weeks as he avoided arrest by seeking sanctuary inside the Vatican's embassy in Panama City.U.S. soldiers employed psychological operations to compel Noriega to leave his hiding place.In a strategy called "Operation Nifty Package," armored vehicles equipped with loudspeakers played relentless rock music, featuring tracks from artists like The Clash, Van Halen, and U2, as noted in reports.Noriega finally gave himself up to U.S. authorities on January 3, 1990—exactly 36 years before Maduro's capture—and was transported to the United States for trial, Axios reported.The incursion led to the deaths of 23 American service members and injured 320 others. Pentagon estimates indicated approximately 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 Panamanian troops were killed, the Associated Press noted.Noriega was found guilty on drug trafficking counts in a 1992 trial and sentenced to 40 years in prison.The AP reported he was accorded prisoner-of-war status, detained in an isolated bungalow separate from the general prison population, and permitted to wear his full Panamanian military uniform and decorations in court.Following 17 years in a U.S. penitentiary, he was sent to France and later to Panama. He passed away in 2017, according to the AP.President Trump declared on Saturday that Maduro and his spouse had been apprehended and airlifted from Venezuela as a component of "Operation Absolute Resolve."Over recent months, the U.S. military has conducted multiple strikes against suspected narcotics ships linked to the Venezuelan government in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.President Trump stated that the U.S. government would "run" Venezuela until a permanent leader is installed, "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, delivered an angry statement on Saturday addressing the widespread protests that have erupted across the nation, which are targeting his government's alleged political and economic corruption.In his first public address since strikes and civil disorder began shaking his administration a week prior, the 86-year-old leader claimed that "A number of agitated people, enemy mercenaries, had positioned themselves behind bazaar merchants and chanted slogans against Islam, against Iran and against the Islamic Republic."He further stated, "Protest is legitimate, but protest is different from rioting," while cautioning that "officials should speak with protesters. Speaking with a rioter is pointless. Rioters must be put in their place."Khamenei's characterization of pro-democracy activists as "rioters" comes after an expression of support for the demonstrators on Friday. "If Iran shots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go," former President Donald Trump posted on the Truth Social platform.Information provided to Digital by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a group dedicated to overthrowing Khamenei's government, indicates that security forces loyal to the leader once again used live ammunition against protesters.In Malekshahi, located in Ilam province, youths held a demonstration. Reports state that government forces shot at non-violent activists, causing fatalities and injuries.By Saturday, the death toll from the regime's actions had reached at least ten. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, protests occurred in over 100 areas spanning 22 of Iran's 31 provinces. The NCRI reported that 30 demonstrators in Malekshahi were shot and are now in critical condition.The opposition organization also reported that on Saturday, residents of Kazerun gathered in the city's Shohada Square, where security personnel fired live rounds at the crowd. Elsewhere, young people in Shiraz's Golshan district blocked a road by igniting tires.At Shahrood University of Technology, students were heard chanting, "Students will die but not accept humiliation," while students at Allameh University's Hemmat dormitory in Tehran shouted, "Death to the dictator."In a Saturday response to Khamenei, NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajiv stated, "Khamenei is right; 80 million Iranians are his enemy. They have only one message for him: pack up his rule and remove his scourge from the Iranian people. Better still if he comes to his senses and leaves of his own accord." She continued, "Khamenei must know that threats, bluster, and repression cannot stop the uprising. A nation who has taken to the streets will not stand down until democracy and popular sovereignty are achieved."Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last Shah, wrote on X, "Ali Khamenei, fearing the growing waves of this national uprising, has emerged from his hiding place to threaten the people of Iran. Khamenei: We, the people of Iran, will pull you down from your teetering perch like Zahhak the despot and will free our beloved Iran from you and your regime."He added, "To the military and law enforcement forces: do not tie your fate to the sinking ship of the Islamic Republic. Join the people and separate yourselves from this regime. Your weapons are for defending the nation, not suppressing it. Those who fire bullets at the people should be certain that they will be identified and punished. Fellow countrymen: do not abandon the streets; increase your presence. The world sees your resistance and bravery and supports you."

Venezuelans around the world demonstrated following the apprehension of Nicolás Maduro, whose tenure was characterized by economic downfall and a massive exodus from the oil-rich country.Hours after the President announced that Maduro and his wife had been removed from the country via an overnight U.S. military operation, Venezuelans in Miami, Fla., Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Madrid, Spain, wore their nation's colors and waved flags.In these locations, Venezuelans danced and cheered, with festivities also occurring outside Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Fla. In Doral, Fla., celebrants shouted "Liberty!" and wrapped themselves in Venezuelan flags.Near the El Arepazo restaurant, a center for Doral's Venezuelan community, a man held a cardboard sign with the word "Libertad" written in black marker. This feeling was shared by other Venezuelan nationals, who chanted "Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!" while expressing hope for a fresh start for their homeland."We're like everybody — it's a mix of emotions, of course," Alejandra Arrieta, who arrived in the U.S. in 1997, informed The Associated Press."There are fears. There's excitement," she stated. "We have been anticipating this for so many years. Something needed to occur in Venezuela. We all require freedom."Joyous groups also assembled in , where a child carried a placard stating "Somos Libres," which translates to "We Are Free."The protests highlighted the magnitude of the , which expanded significantly during Maduro's rule as millions escaped what opponents call a time of economic failure defined by hyperinflation and extensive food scarcities.Approximately 8 million individuals have left Venezuela since 2017, creating one of the biggest displacement emergencies globally, as per the .Over 6.9 million Venezuelans are presently residing in Latin American and Caribbean nations, with several hundred thousand more living in the United States and Europe; these diaspora groups have stayed politically involved and attentive to developments in their home country.Maduro assumed power in 2013, taking over from long-time Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez after his death, and led during an era noted for economic downturn, political instability, and large-scale migration.Responses to the were not universally positive.Rallies supporting and condemning the strikes are planned for Buenos Aires and other regional cities, highlighting profound disagreements regarding Venezuela's future and the part played by Washington in the situation.In Greece, supporters of the Greek Communist Party staged a protest against Maduro's capture.

President verified that Delta Force — the most elite counterterrorism and direct-action unit of the U.S. Army — executed the bold overnight mission in Venezuela that resulted in the seizure of dictator Nicolás Maduro and his spouse.Delta Force, formally designated as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, focuses on dangerous assignments concerning the apprehension or elimination of priority targets, along with other covert operations demanding rapidity, confidentiality, and accuracy.The unit functions under the U.S. Special Operations Command and is generally sent into action when operations involve major political or strategic importance.According to , Delta Force is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the center for U.S. Army special operations instruction. The unit has previously participated in several of the most significant American military campaigns, including the 2003 apprehension of Saddam Hussein. The clandestine unit also carried out multiple counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan and other parts of the Middle East, focusing on high-ranking al-Qaeda members.Delta Force is led by a high-ranking Army official, though the commander's identity remains confidential, as does the precise number of personnel in the unit.The number of operatives involved in the Venezuela mission remains unknown.During the assault, helicopters from the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, nicknamed the "Night Stalkers," transported the special operations troops into Venezuela, according to officials.At least in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, and low-altitude planes were observed above the city around 2 a.m. local time, based on reports. provided intelligence to the Department of War that assisted in directing Delta Force to Maduro and his spouse, who President Donald Trump stated were captured during the American military mission.Authorities stressed that although the CIA was instrumental in tracing and pinpointing Maduro's location, U.S. military special operations personnel performed the actual seizure.Trump informed "FOX & Friends Weekend" early Saturday that the American military staff participating in the operation "performed an amazing feat.""They trained and drilled like no one has ever witnessed," Trump stated. "And authentic military experts informed me that no other nation on the planet could execute such a maneuver."Trump indicated he observed the mission develop as it happened."The entire landing operation, the quantity of aircraft — which was enormous — the number of helicopters, various kinds of helicopters, different types of s," Trump remarked. "We possessed a combat aircraft for every conceivable scenario.""They simply forced entry into locations that were supposedly impenetrable," he added. "I've never witnessed anything comparable."Trump said but was apprehended prior to reaching a safe zone.Trump also mentioned that casualties occurred during the mission, though there were no American deaths and no aircraft were destroyed.Maduro and his spouse were placed on the USS Iwo Jima and are anticipated to be moved to the United States, where they might be presented in federal court in as early as Monday, has learned.’ Rachel Wolf, David Spunt, Jennifer Griffin and Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.

Experts maintain that the Trump administration's military operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro represents a significant setback for the South American nation's long-term ally, the .As Iran endures another day of anti-regime protests nationwide, Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI)—who has documented Maduro's malicious activities—told Digital, "It is a blow to Iran's interests in the Western Hemisphere, as he was a longtime ally of Tehran under the banner of anti-imperialism and Americanism in the region."He noted, "The severity of this blow will depend on who assumes power after Maduro. Iran and Hezbollah have used Venezuela as an operational hub for terrorism, drug trafficking, and power projection in ."He added, "Iran also had a military partnership with Caracas, particularly regarding drones. Thus, Tehran is likely monitoring these developments with great caution. Its regional interests were already weakened following Bolivia's presidential election, which brought a center-right leader to power who reestablished relations with Israel."In November, Digital reported that the Islamic Republic was just as the Trump administration escalated military pressure in the Caribbean and expanded its crackdown on criminal networks tied to the Caracas regime.Brodsky stated, "This will be a globally resonant strike. Iran's regime will be watching closely, as President Trump threatened the supreme leader during the 12-Day War. This historic action reinforces the perception of President Trump as unpredictable and willing to take risks, which instills fear in U.S. adversaries and enhances the credibility of American military threats. This strengthens U.S. deterrence."The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it "strongly condemns the American military and the flagrant violation of the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity."Potkin Azarmehr, a British-Iranian expert on Iran, told Digital, "Every fall of a dictator allied with the Ayatollahs both boosts the morale of the Iranian people and deals a setback to the ruling mullahs."He continued, "The Islamic Republic saw its 'axis of resistance' crumble in the region. Now it is witnessing the toppling of a partner in crime farther afield. This will severely harm the regime's revenues and resources. Many ruling officials may now be tempted to defect before it is too late."Iran's axis of resistance was a tripartite alliance consisting of the now-defunct Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria and the weakened Hezbollah terrorist movement in .' Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.

As Americans woke to news of U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the capture and extraction of [Maduro] and his wife Cilia Flores, questions have emerged over whether Maduro was betrayed by someone within his secretive inner circle. This inner circle includes Diosdado Cabello, currently serving as minister of interior, justice, and peace, who is widely considered as influential as Maduro.Another member of this inner circle is Vladimir Padrino, the long-serving head of Venezuela’s Armed Forces, who wields substantial power. Both Cabello and Padrino quickly denounced U.S. actions, though their responses have so far felt unconvincing.Cabello now stands as the unchallenged heir to the Chavista movement, with Padrino and the country’s military forces appearing unified, yet the Venezuelan Armed Forces seemingly offered no resistance during the operation.In an early-morning video posted on X, Padrino criticized the "criminal military aggression by the U.S. government…launching strikes with missiles and rockets from combat helicopters in Fuerte Tuna, Caracas, and the states of Mirana, Aragua, and La Guaira."He echoed decades-old talking points from Hugo Chávez, stating, "Venezuela vehemently rejects the presence of these foreign troops, which have only brought death, suffering, and destruction. This invasion is the greatest tragedy our nation has endured, driven by an insatiable greed for our strategic resources."With a $50 million bounty on Maduro’s head, significant domestic unpopularity, and the disputed 2024 election—widely dismissed by the international community as stolen—the writing has been on the wall for Nicolás Maduro for years.Maduro and Flores are now reportedly in U.S. custody, en route to New York aboard the [vessel] to face what is likely to be the trial of the decade. Maduro faces charges related to weapons and drug offenses.Jorge Jraissati, head of Venezuela’s Economic Inclusion Group, praised the operation:"If all goes well, this could mark the start of a new peaceful era in Venezuela. Maduro has been a cancer for Venezuela and the region for far too long, turning the country into an authoritarian state…This outcome would have been avoided if Maduro had accepted his 2024 defeat. He should have left power peacefully."Still, experts are questioning how the operation proceeded so smoothly without some level of complicity from the Venezuelan regime.Jraissati argued, "Trump’s ability to capture Maduro swiftly indicates the U.S. had strong on-the-ground intelligence. It shows Venezuelans were actively collaborating with American forces. This is a major victory for the U.S.""Trump’s operation is not against the Venezuelan people; it targets those who oppress us—Maduro and his cronies, who have turned our country into a humanitarian crisis."Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s current vice president and Maduro’s presumed successor, demanded "proof of life" for Maduro on X and is now the subject of intense speculation about her whereabouts. Reports suggest she is in Russia, though Moscow has denied this. Removing Maduro without dismantling the broader Chavista power structure could prove problematic. Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino would likely resist overseeing democratic elections they are expected to lose, putting their positions and wealth at significant risk in such a scenario.Analysts are now examining potential involvement in Maduro’s capture, including whether Cabello, Padrino, or members of the Venezuelan military played a role, with reports indicating a deep-rooted CIA asset provided intelligence on Maduro’s location.As Venezuela’s future remains highly uncertain, ordinary citizens have rushed to stockpile food and fuel. With Delcy Rodríguez as the de jure head of state, an inevitable power struggle looms with [Name], the recent Nobel Prize laureate. It is widely believed she would win a landslide victory in any free and fair election, though her current location is unknown following her departure from Norway in mid-December after receiving the award.Venezuela experts agree on one point: the Chavista movement will not fade quietly from Caracas.Cabello, Padrino, and other regime loyalists may fight to the end or seek negotiated exits to Havana and Moscow—logical destinations for such negotiations.