This week’s guide to government and politics in under 10 minutes

Note: Good Monday morning. We’re pausing our regular format for a special edition of ASP’s Weekly Points focused on Venezuela. The U.S. strikes over the weekend and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro marks a significant turning point in the conflict. This edition focuses on the state of play and what could come next. Follow ASP on social media as we contextualize the situation this week.

I WHERE THE SITUATION STANDS WITH NICOLÁS MADURO

As of Monday, Nicolás Maduro is in U.S. custody and expected to appear in federal court in Manhattan. Meanwhile, Washington has asserted de facto control over Venezuela’s political and economic future following a weekend military operation. The U.S. confirmed it carried out airstrikes across Venezuela overnight on Friday, followed by the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were flown out of the country. Venezuelan media report at least 80 military and civilian deaths; U.S. officials say no American forces were killed in the attack, though some were wounded. The strikes were the largest and most direct U.S. military action in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. Venezuela’s Supreme Court has named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president during what it called Maduro’s “temporary absence.” U.S. officials have made it clear they do not view the current government as legitimate. 

I MADURO HEADED TO COURT TODAY

Maduro is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court on Monday to face drug trafficking and weapons charges. Prosecutors allege he led a “corrupt, illegitimate government” that protected and promoted narcotics trafficking for decades. The charges against Maduro and his wife include narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. Maduro’s son and three others are also charged.

I TRUMP “WE’RE IN CHARGE” OF VENEZULEA

Speaking with reporters Sunday night, President Trump said “don’t ask me who’s in charge, because I’ll give you an answer, and it’s very controversial.” When pressed on the meaning of his statement, Trump said, “It means we’re in charge.” When asked what he needed from Delcy Rodríguez, acting leader and vice president under Maduro, President Trump said “we need total access, we need access to oil and to other things in their country that will allow us to rebuild their country.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. will continue blocking sanctioned oil tankers from entering and leaving the country until Venezuela opens the state-controlled oil industry to foreign investment. President Trump has dismissed Nobel-prize winning opposition figure María Corina Machado as an option to rule the country, implying she lacked the necessary respect and support to lead. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the U.S. will not support Rodríguez remaining in power and has called for new elections in Venezuela. 

I OTHER ATTACKS POSSIBLE

Trump also suggested that further U.S. action could be forthcoming. He criticized Colombian President Gustavo Petro, saying he is a “sick man who likes making cocaine,” and that “he’s not going to be doing it for very long.” When asked by a reporter if he was referring to a U.S. operation, President Trump replied, “Operation Columbia sounds good to me.” Trump also warned Mexico to “get their act together” on drug smuggling. Asked about Greenland, he said “let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.” 

I CONGRESS RESPONDS TO MADURO’S CAPTURE

Early congressional reactions to Maduro’s capture are largely split along party lines. The Trump administration said it did not brief top congressional leaders, known as the “Gang of 8,” because the Department of Defense (DOD) was concerned about leaks. Instead, the DOD notified congressional staff after the operation started. Some Republican lawmakers initially expressed concern about the constitutionality of the action, but many have since expressed confidence that it was legal. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) is the co-sponsor of a resolution introduced last month with Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) that would block the U.S. from attacking Venezuela, and issued a statement calling for action from Congress to prevent future attacks without congressional authorization.

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