Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood before a packed briefing room on Sunday to vigorously defend the recent U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The high-stakes mission, which took place late Saturday night, has already drawn sharp international reactions and intense scrutiny from political observers.
Addressing a barrage of questions from the press corps, Rubio characterized the apprehension as a necessary enforcement of international law rather than an act of aggression. He emphasized that the operation was the culmination of years of sanctions and federal indictments targeting the former leader’s alleged involvement in narco-terrorism.
When pressed on whether the executive branch had overstepped its authority by authorizing the extraction, the Secretary dismissed such concerns as legally baseless. Rubio argued that the capture aligns perfectly with established national security protocols and represents a monumental victory for democratic stability throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The atmosphere in the briefing room grew tense as Rubio openly criticized the media’s framing of the event, accusing several major outlets of attempting to manufacture controversy where none should exist. He asserted that certain narratives were being pushed solely to incite diplomatic conflict rather than to report the factual success of the mission.
Supporters of the administration have hailed the move as a decisive blow against authoritarianism, predicting that it will pave the way for free and fair elections in Venezuela. However, critics warn that the bold extraction could destabilize the region further and provoke retaliatory measures from Maduro’s remaining allies in Latin America.
Several regional allies have already issued statements expressing cautious optimism about the potential for restored order, though they urged the U.S. to maintain transparency throughout the legal process. Rubio assured these partners that the administration is coordinating closely with the Organization of American States to ensure a smooth political transition.
The Department of Justice is expected to release further details regarding the timeline for Maduro’s arraignment and the specific charges he will face in a U.S. federal court. Rubio concluded the conference by stating that the United States remains committed to supporting the Venezuelan people in their transition toward a legitimate democracy.