UN Security Council Sets Emergency Meeting on US Maduro Capture

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to convene an emergency meeting on Monday to address the United States' military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, early Saturday morning in Caracas.

U.S. forces conducted strikes on targets in the Venezuelan capital before detaining the couple and transporting them aboard the USS Iwo Jima. President Donald Trump authorized the action, which the administration described as a law enforcement effort targeting Maduro, who faces federal charges in the Southern District of New York for narcoterrorism conspiracy. Maduro, his wife, and their son were indicted on those charges in March 2020, and the U.S. had previously offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest, later increased. Maduro has denied the allegations.

In remarks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, Trump stated that the United States would administer Venezuela temporarily to ensure a "safe, proper and judicious transition." He added, "Venezuelans suffered, they are not going to suffer anymore," while emphasizing the need to avoid repeating past instability. U.S....