Venezuelan Opposition Calls for Military Support Following Maduro’s U.S. Capture
CARACAS, Venezuela — In a dramatic turn of events that could reshape Venezuela’s political landscape, opposition leader María Corina Machado has called on the Venezuelan military to abandon President Nicolás Maduro and recognize Edmundo González as the legitimate president. The appeal came shortly after President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Maduro and his wife in a “large-scale” military strike early Saturday morning.
Trump’s announcement marked the most direct U.S. military action against a Latin American head of state in decades, with Maduro and his wife reportedly flown to New York to face drug trafficking charges. The operation, described by U.S. officials as “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was hailed by lawmakers and military leaders as a precise and resolute action. Senator Lindsey Graham called it a demonstration of “America at her best,” while the Navy Secretary praised it as a “masterclass in precision and execution.”
Machado, a prominent figure in Venezuela’s opposition, took to social media to declare, “The hour of freedom has arrived.” She urged all military officers and soldiers to immediately recognize González as the constitutional president and Commander-in-Chief of the National Armed Forces. Machado emphasized that those who risked everything for democracy during the disputed July 28 election must now see González assume his mandate.
The July 28 election, which Maduro’s government declared him the winner with just under 52% of the vote, was widely contested by the opposition. Machado and González have maintained that a parallel vote count conducted by opposition groups showed González winning by a significant margin. The opposition’s call for recognition of González underscores the deep divisions within Venezuela’s political institutions, many of which remain controlled by Maduro loyalists.
Despite the announcement of Maduro’s capture, it remains unclear whether senior military commanders have shifted their allegiance or whether the opposition has secured control over key state institutions. Machado urged Venezuelans inside the country to remain “vigilant, active and organized,” promising further instructions through official opposition channels. She also called on Venezuelans abroad to mobilize and pressure foreign governments to recognize the new leadership in Caracas.
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Maduro with narcoterrorism and weapons offenses, allegations that have long been leveled by U.S. officials who describe Maduro as the world’s largest drug dealer with a global network. The capture follows years of escalating tensions between the Maduro regime and the United States, which has imposed sanctions and supported opposition efforts to oust the president.
The operation has drawn international attention, with Russia and China reportedly weighing their responses amid concerns about regional stability. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has highlighted the significance of dismantling Maduro’s criminal network, which allegedly provided identification documents to terrorists worldwide.
As Venezuela stands at a crossroads, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the military and state institutions will back the opposition’s call for a peaceful transfer of power. The situation remains fluid, with the international community closely monitoring developments.
For ongoing updates on U.S. actions and legal proceedings related to Maduro, visit the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. Additional information about the U.S. military’s operational protocols can be found at the U.S. Department of Defense. Coverage of Venezuela’s political crisis is also available through the U.S. Department of State.
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