Maduro, wife enter not guilty pleas; Trump says he’s in charge of Venezuela
Where things stand
• Maduro in court: A defiant Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores entered not guilty pleas in their first court appearance in New York after being captured in a US military operation. The ousted leader, who faces drugs and weapons charges, told the judge he’s “still the president of Venezuela.” The couple is not seeking bail for now. Sigue nuestra cobertura en español.
• Venezuela’s uncertain future: President Donald Trump said the US, which has not recognized Maduro as the country’s legitimate leader, is “in charge,” as acting president Delcy Rodríguez called for “cooperation” with the US. Trump previously said he’s counting on American companies to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry. Meanwhile, Venezuelans are hunkering down amid apprehension of what may come next.
• Trump’s threats: Trump implied he could take military action in Colombia, told Mexico to get its “act together” on drugs, and said the US “needs Greenland.”
Johnson stresses Venezuela operation "not a regime change" and says he doesn't expect US troops on the ground
From CNN's Manu Raju, Alison Main and Sarah Ferris
Speaker Mike Johnson declared that President Donald Trump’s recent ousting of Nicolas Maduro as leader of Venezuela is “not a regime change,” despite Trump’s own comments about US involvement in that nation’s government.
Moments after emerging from a closed-door briefing on the White House’s Venezuela operation, Johnson offered a hefty defense of Trump’s legal authority in conducting it — which he said had been a discussion in the room among top lawmakers and White House officials.
“We are not at war. We do not have US armed forces in Venezuela and we are not occupying that country,” Johnson said.
Pressed by CNN about Trump’s repeated remarks that the US is “going to run” Venezuela, Johnson again pointed to what he heard in the briefing and said: “The way this is being described – this is not a regime change. This is a demand for change of behavior by a regime.”
And he emphasized that there would not be American soldiers on the ground in Venezuela helping to carry out a new government.
“We don’t expect troops on the ground. We don’t expect direct involvement in any other way beyond just coercing the interim government to get that going,” he said.
What some senators are saying about the US action in Venezuela and its aftermath
From CNN's Arlette Saenz, Morgan Rimmers and Tatyana Masters
CNN is speaking to US senators on how they view US strike in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Here’s what we’re hearing:
Democratic senators:
• Sen. Elizabeth Warren questioned President Donald Trump’s declaration that the United States would “run” Venezuela, warning it risks plunging the US into another war. She also argued Trump’s operation was focused on giving a boost to oil companies and not in the interest of the American people. Finally, she expressed concern Republicans won’t conduct proper oversight of the administration’s actions in Venezuela.
• Sen. Jeff Merkley criticized the administration’s approach to Venezuela’s future leadership. “What it looks like is he wants to keep the dictatorship in place, just with the vice president becoming head of government, rather than Maduro,” he said. “He just wants a dictator that will say ‘yes, sir,’ when the United States says, do this or do that, I think that’s a I think that’s a big problem for us.”
Republican senator:
• Sen. Rand Paul, who has long opposed military action in Venezuela without congressional approval, called this weekend’s operation “unconstitutional” and expressed concern over the precedent set by the US’ action. “Apparently, this attack’s been under planning for three or four months, and so there’s plenty of time to ask Congress’ permission. I think it’s disdainful,” said Paul. “But without question, this is war. You can’t say, ‘Oh, well, we’re just arresting a criminal.’ They bombed half of Caracas and then removed him from that.”
Schumer says he left Trump officials' briefing on Venezuela with "more questions" than answers
CNN's Alison Main and Sarah Ferris
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer left a closed-door briefing Monday night on the Trump administration’s Venezuela operation with even deeper concerns about the US’ next steps, saying the classified meeting posed “far more questions” than it answered.
The top Senate Democrat said White House officials refused to confirm that similar operations would not take place in other countries, despite his own questions on the matter.
“I did not receive any assurances that we would not try to do the same thing in other countries. And in conclusion, when the United States engages in this kind of regime change and so-called nation building, it always ends up hurting the United States. And I left the briefing feeling that it would,” Schumer said.
“Their plan for the US running Venezuela is vague, based on wishful thinking and unsatisfying,” Schumer said as he left a two-hour briefing with some of Congress’ top lawmakers.
Top intel Democrat says after briefing that Rubio and Trump administration have no plan for Venezuela
From CNN’s Sarah Ferris
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, who was among the lawmakers briefed on the Trump administration’s Venezuela operation Monday night, repeatedly criticized the Trump administration’s lack of plan.
Asked by CNN’s Erin Burnett if Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided answers to questions during the briefing, Rep. Jim Himes said, “No, he doesn’t have the answers because he doesn’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow or the next day.”
“But what’s really concerning is he doesn’t have a plan. This is what really hurt us in Iraq and Afghanistan and Libya. There’s no plan for the day after. … It’s not just, not a plan. It’s sort of insane on the face of it,” the Connecticut Democrat added.
Himes expressed deep worry about the coming days for Venezuela’s government as its current leader faces pressure from her own military.
Gunfire heard near Venezuelan presidential palace
From CNN’s Michael Rios, Avery Schmitz, Thomas Bordeaux
Gunfire was heard in the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Monday night, near the Miraflores presidential palace.
Videos geolocated by CNN show what appear to be lights from drones and anti-aircraft fire across the night sky.
It’s unclear what the situation is related to.
CNN has reached out to Venezuela’s ministries of communication and foreign affairs for more information.
Top Trump aide describes how the White House sees US control over Venezuela
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
Stephen Miller says US is using military threat to maintain control of Venezuela
15:35
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller gave an inside look on how the Trump administration is approaching Venezuela since the capture of its leader Nicolás Maduro.
He told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the US is “in charge” because of the threat posed by the military forces that remain stationed just off the nation’s coast.
Here’s are the key points from his interview this afternoon.
What US control means: The US military is “stationed outside the country,” he said. “We set the terms and conditions.”
According to Miller:
- The US is effectively using its control over the Venezuelan economy as leverage to ensure that its new leadership does what the Trump administration demands.
- Venezuelan officials need US permission to do commerce and run their economy. They have privately offered assurances that “they will meet the terms, demands, conditions and requirements of the United States.”
- Trump administration has not ruled out future indictments for Venezuelan officials, but warned that it’s in the best interest of those officials to cooperate with the US.
On opposition leader: Miller dismissed calls for the US to install Maria Corina Machado as president. “It would be absurd and preposterous for us to suddenly fly her into the country and to put her in charge,” he said, arguing that Venezuela’s military would not view her as legitimate.
On casualties: Cuban guards suffered the “overwhelming share of casualties” during the weekend operation to seize Maduro and his wife. The Cuban government said Sunday that 32 of its citizens were killed. The US service members who were injured are stable, Miller added.
Meanwhile, Miller also weighed in on President Donald Trump’s latest remarks about Greenland after he said the US needs the Danish territory “from the standpoint of national security.”
- The formal position of the Trump administration is that “Greenland should be part of the United States,” Miller said, but he rejected that military force would be necessary to acquire it. “Nobody’s gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland.”
- Miller also questioned Denmark’s claim over the Arctic territory. “What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark?” he asked.
Trump projects oil companies can rebuild Venezuelan infrastructure in less than 18 months
From CNN's Kit Maher
President Donald Trump on Monday projected it will take less than 18 months for oil companies to rebuild Venezuela’s energy infrastructure and get it “up and running.”
“I think we can do it in less time than that, but it’ll be a lot of money,” Trump told NBC News. “A tremendous amount of money will have to be spent, and the oil companies will spend it, and then they’ll get reimbursed by us or through revenue.”
Some context: Trump has expressed excitement over the prospect of US oil companies getting their hands on Venezuela’s vast oil resources, but industry sources tell CNN that American oil executives are unlikely to dive in headfirst. The situation on the ground remains very uncertain, Venezuela’s oil industry is in shambles and Caracas has a history of seizing US oil assets.
On elections: Trump also said an election in Venezuela over the next month isn’t possible.
“We have to fix the country first. You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote,” he said. “We have to nurse the country back to health.”
Trump says US did not inform Rodríguez of plans to capture Maduro before the operation
From CNN's Kit Maher
President Donald Trump said Monday the United States did not communicate with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez’s camp before the US military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro.
“No, that’s not the case,” Trump said in an interview with NBC News, reiterating that she has been cooperating with the United States in the aftermath.
He did not say whether he has spoken directly to Rodríguez, who was sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president on Monday.
Trump again suggested the US could launch a second military operation into Venezuela if Rodríguez stops cooperating but said he doesn’t think it will be necessary. “We’re prepared to do it,” he said. “We anticipated doing it, actually.”
Trump said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been speaking with Rodríguez in fluent Spanish on the phone and that their “relationship has been very strong.”
Trump says he's in charge of Venezuela
From CNN's Kit Maher
President Donald Trump told NBC News he considers himself in charge of Venezuela as questions remain about who is actually running the country.
The president first identified a group of top US officials with “different expertise” who are involved: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller and Vice President JD Vance.
But when asked in the Monday interview who is ultimately in charge, Trump answered, “Me.”
Last night on Air Force One, Trump said, “We’re in charge.”
US' involvement in Venezuela an “ongoing military operation,” Miller says
From CNN's Adam Cancryn
Top White House aide Stephen Miller on Monday characterized the US’ involvement in Venezuela as an “ongoing military operation,” contradicting the administration’s earlier contention that capturing Nicolás Maduro was a law enforcement action.
“This is an active and ongoing US military operation,” he told reporters at the White House. “And so of course, we set the terms and conditions.”
Miller’s characterization is at odds with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s description of the decision to capture Maduro, which he characterized over the weekend as an isolated law enforcement matter tied to a US indictment against the ousted Venezuelan president.
On Monday, Miller cast the US as fully in charge of Venezuela largely because of the threat of further military force.
“We have a massive fleet, our armada, still present there,” he said.
200 US personnel were on the ground in Caracas during Maduro operation, Hegseth says
From CNN's Haley Britzky
The US military’s secretive operation in Venezuela over the weekend included nearly 200 US personnel on the ground in Caracas, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday.
“[W]e saw three nights ago, in downtown Caracas in Venezuela, as nearly 200 of our greatest Americans went downtown in Caracas — seems those Russian air defenses didn’t quite work so well, did they — downtown Caracas, and grabbed an indicted individual wanted by American justice, in support of law enforcement, without a single American killed,” Hegseth said at a shipyard in Newport News, Virginia, speaking to Huntington Ingalls Industries employees and US sailors.
The number of US personnel on the ground in Venezuela during the operation that removed President Nicolás Maduro from the country was previously unknown. Officials have said the raid included the Army’s elite Delta Force soldiers and an FBI unit.
Hegseth said during a separate engagement Monday that Maduro “got to meet some great Americans wearing night-vision goggles three nights ago.”
“He didn’t know they were coming until about three minutes before they arrived,” Hegseth told a group of sailors aboard the PCU John F. Kennedy, a new aircraft carrier that hasn’t yet been officially commissioned. “In fact, his wife said, ‘I think I hear aircraft outside.’”
After arriving back from Newport News at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Hegseth ignored a shouted question on whether he would support putting US military boots on the ground in Venezuela. President Donald Trump said in the wake of the operation that the US is “not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to have to.”
Venezuelan opposition leader thanks Trump, says country will be "main ally" of the US
From CNN's Rocío Muñoz-Ledo
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado attends a press conference in Oslo, Norway, on December 11. Leonhard Foeger/Reuters
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado thanked US President Donald Trump on Monday “for his firmness and determination in upholding the law,” two days after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a US military operation.
Following Maduro’s capture, Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela and questioned the opposition leader’s ability to govern the country, claiming that Machado did not have enough respect or support.
In a message on X, Machado did not directly address Trump’s comments, but said that “Venezuela will be the United States’ main ally in matters of security, energy, democracy and human rights.”
“Venezuela’s freedom is near, and soon we will celebrate in our land,” the opposition leader wrote. “We will shout, pray, and embrace each other as families, because our children will return home,” she added.
Machado, who left Venezuela in December to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, also said that “the brave people of Venezuela took to the streets in 30 countries and 130 cities around the world to celebrate a huge step” toward a transition.
CNN has reached out to the opposition leader for comment on Trump’s remarks.
Miller asserts Trump administration's position is Greenland should be part of the US
From CNN's Kit Maher
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller asserted that the formal position of the Trump administration is that “Greenland should be part of the United States,” but he rejected that military force would be necessary to acquire it.
“Nobody’s gonna fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland,” Miller said on CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper.”
Pressed by Tapper whether military intervention is off the table, Miller instead questioned Denmark’s claim over the Arctic territory.
“What is the basis of their territorial claim? What is their basis of having Greenland as a colony of Denmark? The United States is the power of NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, obviously, Greenland should be part of the United States, and so that’s a conversation that we’re going to have as a country.”
Context: Miller’s wife, Katie, reignited the conversation about Trump’s desire to annex Greenland on Saturday, posting an image of the territory on a map with the United States flag over it. She wrote, “SOON.” Trump’s actions in Venezuela have also opened up questions about which countries could also be targeted.
Miller won’t rule out future indictments of Venezuelan officials, but says it’s in their best interest to cooperate
From CNN's Betsy Klein
A top US official indicated that the Trump administration has not ruled out future indictments for Venezuelan officials following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro – but warned that it’s in the best interest of those officials to cooperate with the US.
The US indictment of Maduro and his wife, who were seized Saturday, also charged four additional people, including Maduro’s son and the head of the Tren de Aragua gang, who remain in Venezuela.
“There might be individuals who are fugitives from American justice that could become part of the future conversation,” White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” Monday.
Miller suggested that further indictments could be on the table.
“For those who may be indicted, the best choice they can possibly make is to be part of a constructive decision-making process for the future of Venezuela,” he said.
He added: “The best decision they can make is to cooperate fully and completely with the United States to be part of building this brighter future for Venezuela during this interim period.”
Intel GOP senator says Gang of Eight “should have” been notified before Venezuela operation
From CNN's Morgan Rimmer, Ted Barrett and Manu Raju
Republican Sen. James Lankford, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that the administration should have notified the Gang of Eight before the operation in Venezuela over the weekend, citing previous major operations where they were kept in the loop.
The Gang of Eight consists of the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate, as well as the chairs and vice chairs of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees. They are receiving a briefing this evening.
“Yeah, there should have been notification,” said Lankford.
“It’s a good thing for Maduro to be gone and him to be in federal prison,” he noted, adding “but the Gang of Eight should have been notified.”
“They haven’t leaked in the past, they were notified when they were getting ready to be able to drop ordinance on Iran. So there’s a normal process,” said Lankford, who also pointed to the Gang of Eight being notified ahead of the Osama bin Laden operation.
“That’s a normal process that’s in place. The Gang of Eight doesn’t leak. So they should, they just should have been notified on that. Again, it’s a good thing Maduro is gone, but process-wise, they should have notified them.”
Another Intel Republican, Sen. Mike Rounds, said he wants to know why the Gang of Eight was not notified ahead of time.
“I think one of the questions that will be asked by others will be, at what point does the Gang of Eight have a role to play in receiving advanced notice?” he said, adding “yeah” he wants to know the answer.
“I’ll just simply say, with regard to the Gang of Eight, we will, we will let them answer it themselves.”
GOP Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said that she wants “clarification” on President Trump’s claim that the US will “run” Venezuela moving forward.
“I think it needs clarification. And I think you see the Secretary of State, Rubio, working to clarify it, others,” she said. “I think what it means is that we will have our hand on the till of what’s going on in this successional — as a succession government, legitimate government, there and prevent any kind of reenact— reincarnation of a narco terrorist, cartel-loving, illegitimately elected president.”
Capito acknowledged that she wasn’t clear why Trump had dismissed Maria Corina Machado as a potential replacement for Maduro. “I don’t know why he said it, to be quite honest with you. I mean, you know, he just kind of speaks the way he is,” she said.
However, several Republican senators were comfortable with the Gang of Eight not being notified before the operation, arguing that the risk of a leak was too high, despite the group not having a history of leaking.
“I wouldn’t have done it. I mean, it would have leaked,” said Sen. John Kennedy. “Manu, come on, this place leaks like the Titanic, and it gets worse every day,” he added, noting, “Congress brought it upon themselves.”
Sen. Thom Tillis agreed. “It only took 1/8 of that group to potentially compromise the operation, and American soldiers’ lives are more important than me or any other member knowing at the moment. They did inform leadership shortly thereafter, and I’m ok with that.”
Kennedy added that he isn’t concerned about Trump saying the US will “run” Venezuela. “The president thinks out loud, I don’t think he has any intention of running Venezuela. I think he, he wants to give the Venezuelan people a choice, and they get to decide who governs them and how they are governed.”
Stephen Miller says Cuban guards sustained "massive numbers of casualties" in "raging gunfire battle"
From CNN's Kit Maher and Isabelle D'Antonio
Top White House aide Stephen Miller on Monday said the “overwhelming share of causalities” during the United States operation to capture Nicolás Maduro were Cuban guards, describing it as a “raging gunfire battle.”
“The overwhelming share of casualties and fatalities that were inflicted were against the Cuban guard that had exerted control over the people of Venezuela,” Miller told CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead.”
Miller said the US forces that carried out the raid in Caracas encountered armed Cuban guards, who “sustained massive numbers of casualties.”
The Cuban government said Sunday that 32 of its citizens were killed during the US operation. Miller said the publicly reported number is “probably lower than the actual number that were killed.”
Miller said the US service members who were injured are stable.
“It just underscores the remarkable skill, precision, courage and capability of our special forces,” he told Tapper.
“Every single kill was an enemy kill,” Miller said.
Pressed on whether there were civilian casualties, Miller said he didn’t see reports of any.
Some context: The raid was carried out by the US Army’s elite Delta Force with the assistance of an FBI unit. A handful of troops sustained bullet and shrapnel wounds, a source briefed on the matter told CNN on Saturday.
All injuries sustained by US troops “were minor” and “all those injured are in stable and good condition,” a senior White House official told CNN on Sunday.
US is using military threat to maintain control of Venezuela, top White House aide says
From CNN's Adam Cancryn
Senior White House aide Stephen Miller said Monday that the US is “in charge” of Venezuela because of the threat posed by the military forces that remain stationed just off the nation’s coast.
“By definition, we are in charge, because we have the United States military stationed outside the country,” he told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “We set the terms and conditions.”
Miller added that the US is effectively using its control over the Venezuelan economy as leverage to ensure that its new leadership does what the Trump administration demands.
As a result, he said, Venezuelan officials have privately offered assurances “making clear that they will meet the terms, demands, conditions and requirements of the United States.”
“For them to do commerce, they need our permission. For them to be able to run an economy, they need our permission,” Miller said. “So the United States is in charge.”
Miller also dismissed calls for the US to install Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado as president as “not even a serious question.”
“It would be absurd and preposterous for us to suddenly fly her into the country and to put her in charge,” he said, arguing that Venezuela’s military would not view her as legitimate.
Some Colombians are worried after Trump issues warning
From CNN's Fernando Ramos in Cúcuta and Marlon Sorto in Atlanta
Since then US strike on Venezuela, President Donald Trump has put several other governments on alert, including Colombia.
Trump on Sunday described Colombian President Gustavo Petro as “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long.” Trump also did not rule out carrying out a military operation.
The rising tension is putting some Colombians on edge.
“With (Venezuela’s Nicolás) Maduro, (Trump) warned about it and everyone thought he was just going to do something like a blockade at sea, but nevertheless, he took him away,” one man at the Colombia-Venezuela border city of Cúcuta told CNN.
“With the president we have now, no one knows what might happen,” he said.
Petro has warned that Colombia would “take up arms” if the US decides to attack him or his country.
Others interviewed by CNN said they weren’t worried.
“Colombia is still a country that practices democracy,” one woman said. “I believe things haven’t reached the extremes that would require an intervention like the one in Venezuela.”
Another man said he didn’t believe Petro would take up arms against the US.
Energy secretary to meet with oil executives this week to discuss Venezuela
From CNN's Ella Nilsen
US Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright will meet with oil executives this week to discuss US companies once again standing up drilling for oil in Venezuela, a spokesperson for the Energy Department said.
Wright will meet with the executives at the Goldman Sachs Energy, CleanTech & Utilities Conference in Miami, the spokesperson said.
Bloomberg News first reported on Wright’s planned meetings.
Some context: Some oil industry sources have expressed concerns about returning to the country, raising safety issues and basic infrastructure needs. Chevron is the only remaining American oil company in the country.
CNN previously reported that in the weeks leading up to the US military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump administration officials engaged US oil companies to gauge interest in returning to Venezuela. The firms were wary to commit to reinvesting in the country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, according to two sources familiar with the engagement.
Venezuelans living in an impoverished border settlement in Colombia share their views on Maduro's ouster
In Cúcuta, Venezuelans living in an impoverished border settlement share how years of displacement have shaped their lives and how they view Nicolás Maduro’s ouster as a possible chance to return home. Some are feeling hopeful but others say it’s too soon to tell.
Chinese, Russian, Iranian ambassadors among first to congratulate Rodríguez on swearing in
From CNN’s Michael Rios
Chinese, Russian and Iranian ambassadors to Venezuela greeting Delcy Rodríguez after she was sworn in as acting president on Monday VTV
The ambassadors of China, Russia and Iran – key allies of Venezuela – were among the first dignatories to congratulate Delcy Rodríguez when she was sworn in as the South American country’s acting president earlier today.
Moments after Rodríguez took the oath of office, she was embraced by Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela Lan Hu, followed by Russian Ambassador Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov. Iranian Ambassador Ali Chegini then bowed toward her with his hands clasped together.
The three ambassadors all stood beside each other during the ceremony.
All three countries have denounced the US military raid at the weekend that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and took him to face trial in New York.
Analysis: Trump’s Venezuela raid casts uncertainty over Greenland and the Western military alliance
Analysis from CNN's Matthew Chance
Reflecting heightened anxiety in the aftermath of US President Donald Trump’s extraordinary military action in Venezuela, the Danish prime minister delivered a stark warning to the White House over Greenland, a vast Arctic territory ruled by Denmark.
“First of all, I think you have to take the US president seriously when he says he wants Greenland,” Mette Frederiksen said.
“But I also want to make it clear that if the US chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, everything stops, including NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of World War II,” she added.
She reminded Danes in nationally televised remarks that she had already “made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and that Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States.”
It is a serious and widely shared concern among NATO allies that the Greenland issue has the potential not only to anger and humiliate a longtime US partner, but also to fracture the Western military alliance as pressure from Washington escalates.
Trump has pointedly refused to rule out US military action to seize Greenland.
Johnson backs Trump on questions of war authority in Venezuela and says operation didn't "require prior consent of Congress"
From CNN's Ellis Kim and Sarah Ferris
Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that President Donald Trump’s military operation in Venezuela did not require prior consent of Congress, offering his most detailed comments yet on the surprise weekend ousting of Nicolás Maduro.
“What’s very important to acknowledge here is that this is an operation that did not require prior consent of Congress, prior authorization of Congress. It required notification of Congress. It was well within Article II,” Johnson told CNN.
Johnson added that he spoke with Trump and top Cabinet members within hours of the operation.
“They’ve done everything they were supposed to do. This was an appropriate action and we’ll get a lot more details inside,” he said as he prepared to enter Congress’ first closed-door briefing on the strike.
Johnson added that House leaders are setting up a full briefing for all members of Congress “sometime by mid-week.”
The House formally returns to Washington Tuesday night.
The latest from New York, Caracas and Washington after Maduro's first court appearance today
From CNN's Elise Hammond
In a New York courtroom, an assertive and confident Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty to all four charges against him after he was captured and brought to the US over the weekend.
Meantime, in Caracas, the vice president was sworn in as the acting leader of Venezuela.
Here’s what you need to know:
- First court appearance: Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to the drug and weapons charges against them and chose, for the time being, not to fight their detention. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17. Flores appeared to be injured, swaying and dipping her head at times, according to reporters in the court. Her attorney said she was injured during the military operation. Maduro also seemed injured, struggling to sit down and stand up at points.
- What Maduro said: After entering a not guilty plea, Maduro said, “I am still president of my country,” before being cut off by the judge. He also said: “My name is President Nicolás Maduro Moros. I am president of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here kidnapped, and I — since January 3, Saturday. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.” The judge replied that “there will be a time and place to go into all of this.”
- In the courtroom: As the hearing ended, a man in the audience began speaking to Maduro in Spanish, calling him an “illegitimate” president, according to the Associated Press. As Maduro was being led from the courtroom, he responded in Spanish, according to the AP: “I am a kidnapped president. I am a prisoner of war.”
- In Venezuela: The government published a decree granting broad powers to the presidency and orders security forces to capture “any person involved in the promotion or support” of the US attack. The document was dated Saturday and signed by Maduro.
- Acting president sworn in: Delcy Rodríguez was formally sworn in as acting president. As she was being sworn in, hundreds of Maduro supporters flooded the streets of Caracas, waving Venezuela’s flag and holding banners. Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of Delcy Rodríguez, was re-appointed President of the National Assembly.
- On Capitol Hill: Some lawmakers will receive classified briefings on the operation this evening. Meantime, the Senate will vote on a measure to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in Venezuela, likely on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the plans.
- Top congressional reaction: Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was not told about the action in Venezuela until it was already underway, but that he felt “sufficiently notified” by the Trump administration.
CNN’s Sarah Ferris, Germán Padinger, Morgan Rimmer, Michael Rios, Mauricio Torres, Gonzalo Zegarra, Catherine Nicholls, Lauren del Valle, Devan Cole Gordon Ebanks and Hannah Rabinowitz contributed reporting to this post.
Jeffries vows to grill Trump admin on plans to "run" Venezuela, decision to flout Congress
From CNN's Sarah Ferris
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he plans to use Congress’s first closed-door briefing on this weekend’s operation in Venezuela to demand answers from President Donald Trump’s advisers about their plans to “run” the country, using Trump’s own words from this weekend.
“What are the plans moving forward now that Donald Trump says that he is running Venezuela?” Jeffries said, ripping the administration’s lack of communication with Congress and the lack of clarity about the next steps by the US to transition to a new government in Venezuela.
Jeffries is part of a group of 16 top lawmakers that will be briefed by top Trump officials Monday evening.
“There are a lot of questions that need to be answered today by the highest levels of the administration and later on this week, when the entire House and entire Senate will be briefed,” Jeffries said.
The Democratic leader did not say what actions his party would seek to take from their perch in the minority in Congress. But he made clear that he viewed Trump’s actions as violating the president’s powers set out in the Constitution.
“The Constitution isn’t a matter of inconvenience. It’s a requirement,” Jeffries said. “There is no Trump exception to the United States Constitution.”
“The president took military action without congressional approval. It was military action. Not a law enforcement action despite what members of the administration are claiming right now,” he said, describing it as “rogue” action. “The American people reject the possibility of another unjustified foreign war.”
Colombian defense minister invites Hegseth to see country’s drug-fighting efforts
From CNN's Abel Alvarado
Colombian Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez has invited his US counterpart Pete Hegseth to the South American country for a firsthand look at its drug-fighting efforts, which the US has criticized.
“I invite him here to Colombia so that this soldier can meet that great soldier and witness firsthand the strength and determination of the Colombian government, led by the President of the Republic, to dismantle and eradicate drug trafficking at its roots,” Sánchez exclusively told CNN.
He added that Colombia is deeply appreciative of its cooperation with the US, which he said has made the fight more effective.
He called on the US to “take advantage of this golden opportunity to invest even more in strengthening international cooperation between the US government and its main, or one of its main, strategic partners and allies in the fight against drug trafficking, which is the government of Colombia.”
His comments come after US President Donald Trump described Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Sunday as “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States, and he’s not going to be doing it very long.”
When pressed by a reporter if those comments meant there could be an “operation” in Colombia in the future, Trump responded, “sounds good to me.”
Sánchez defended Petro, claiming that under his leadership, Colombia destroys a drug lab every 40 minutes and has “neutralized” more than 14,000 members of major criminal groups.
Asked what would happen if the US were to carry out strikes against alleged drug traffickers in Colombia, as it said it did in Venezuela, Sánchez replied: “The only thing I can say as minister of defense is that the US and Colombia share years, decades, of relations, and we have become an extremely important strategic asset in the fight against drug trafficking.”
Senate likely to hold vote on Trump war powers on Thursday
From CNN’s Sarah Ferris
The Senate will vote on a measure to limit President Donald Trump’s war powers in Venezuela midweek, likely on Thursday, according to a person familiar with the plans.
Democrats have the support of one Republican — Sen. Rand Paul — and expect to have the support of at least one more: Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Efforts are underway to convince more GOP lawmakers to join, the person familiar said.
If the measure does not pass, the person added that top Democrats are looking seriously at forcing the issue into the January 30 appropriations package — a move that would threaten a funding showdown.
Thune doesn’t know what Trump means by asserting that US plans to "run" Venezuela
From CNN's Manu Raju
Senate Majority Leader John Thune arrives for a closed-door meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on December 9, in Washington, DC. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader John Thune was at a loss on Monday when asked by CNN if he is comfortable with President Trump asserting that the United States is now in charge of Venezuela.
“Well, we’re going to try and get more information about that,” he said, citing briefings happening this week.
Asked if he understood what Trump meant by his comment that the US will run the country, Thune simply said: “I’m hoping to find out more.”
The comment underscores how the Trump administration has provided little insight to the top leaders of Congress about US plans in Venezuela — particularly in the aftermath of Nicolas Maduro’s capture in a US military operation over the weekend. Typically, the top leaders of Congress would be read-in about a mission of this magnitude.
Classified briefings on Capitol Hill begin on Monday.
Pro-Maduro protesters flood Caracas as Rodríguez sworn in
From CNN’s Germán Padinger
Supporters of Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro flooded the streets of Caracas on Monday as Delcy Rodríguez was formally sworn in as the country’s interim leader.
Hundreds of protesters were seen waving Venezuela’s flag and holding banners in support of the toppled president, who earlier entered a not guilty plea in a New York court after being captured on Saturday in a US military operation.
The Venezuelan government regularly organizes demonstrations to show alleged popular support for its actions. In August, hundreds protested in Caracas after the US raised the reward for Maduro to $50 million; Rodríguez was among prominent chavismo figures – Venezuela’s socialist movement – in attendance.
In the past, when Venezuela’s democratic opposition movement staged protests, the government organized counterdemonstrations, staging an apparent tug-of-war on the streets of Caracas.
Dow crosses 49,000 points during trading for first time ever
From CNN's John Towfighi
Wall Street is kicking off 2026’s first full week of trading on a high note.
The Dow was up 715 points, or 1.48%, Monday afternoon, surpassing 49,000 in intraday trading for the first time ever. The blue-chip index briefly gained more than 800 points before paring some gains and is set to close at its first record high since December 24.
The broader S&P 500 gained 0.65%, and and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.6%.
The US capture of Nicholás Maduro over the weekend introduced fresh geopolitical uncertainty. But investors looked past concerns to drive a rally in stocks. Energy and financial sectors led the S&P 500 higher.
“Global markets are taking the latest surge in geopolitical risk largely in stride,” Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay, said in a note.
Chevron (CVX) rose 5.6%, benefiting from the prospect of US businesses trying to revamp Venezuela’s oil industry. Chevron stock was set for its best day since April and led the Dow higher.
The Dow was also boosted by Goldman Sachs (GS), which rose 4.2%. Goldman is the top-weighted stock in the Dow, so moves in its share price significantly influence the index.
Jay Hatfield, CEO at Infrastructure Capital Advisors, said Wall Street was in a “risk on” mood, helping lift financial stocks like Goldman and JPMorgan Chase (JPM), which rose 3.1%.
While stocks rallied, gold also pushed higher. Gold futures traded in New York rose 2.9%.
Thune says Congress "not the best at keeping secrets" and understands why lawmakers didn't get a heads up
From CNN's Morgan Rimmer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN he felt “sufficiently notified” by the Trump administration on the US operation in Venezuela, after noting that he was not told about the action until it was already underway.
Pressed on whether he was concerned about the White House setting a precedent of not notifying Congress ahead of major operations, Thune said Congress is “not the best at keeping secrets,” echoing an argument from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“I think I understand for a lot of reasons why you can’t … broadcast far and wide to members of Congress action in advance. We’re not the best at keeping secrets around here,” Thune said. “So, but you know, I was, like I said, I feel sufficiently notified and we’ll get more, hopefully, information from the White House. We’ve requested a briefing, an all-senators briefing, and hopefully we’ll be able to arrange that.”
The Senate GOP leader added that he doesn’t believe the White House needed congressional authorization for the operation, and pushed back on some criticisms from the right that engaging in Venezuela’s internal politics is not an “America First” policy.
“I think America First is protecting American interests, and obviously there’s a huge American in trying to keep drugs coming across our southern border. So, you know, I think the administration checked all the boxes, and don’t think there’s anything that they did that is not aligned with what’s been done in the past or in a similar circumstance,” he told reporters.
“There’s plenty of legal authority for that,” said, adding that “they got a guy back here in the US [who] is going to be tried, as he should be, for being a narcoterrorist.”
"The structure of Maduro — minus Maduro — continues in place,” former US ambassador to Venezuela says
From CNN's Elise Hammond
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores appear in Manhattan federal court with their defense attorneys on Monday, January 5. Christine Cornell
The United States appears to be prioritizing stability over the reinstitution of democracy in Venezuela, a former US ambassador to the country said today.
One example of that is the decision to leave Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello in place and still in charge of the country’s police force, former ambassador Charles Shapiro told CNN. He noted that Cabello is named in the same indictment as ousted President Nicolas Maduro.
“They’re not celebrating in Caracas because they don’t know what the police will do,” Shapiro said. “So the structure of Maduro — minus Maduro — continues in place.”
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in this afternoon as acting president has also been a long-time Maduro loyalist.
“So clearly what we’re — we the United States — is doing is putting stability over democracy by keeping the same people in place, the same oil people in place, the same police in place, the same military in place,” Shapiro said.
The former ambassador also pointed out President Donald Trump “expressed no interest” in bringing back Edmundo González Urrutia, which the Venezuela’s opposition maintains was the true winner of the presidential election in 2024.
Additionally, Trump expressed a lack of confidence in María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition movement, rejecting the possibility that she could serve as an interim leader.
Instead, Shapiro said it appears that the administration will try to use oil to generate money that could be used to help rebuild Venezuela, but “that’s a complicated set of how we’re going to do this.”
Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president
From CNN’s Michael Rios and Mauricio Torres
Delcy Rodríguez has formally been sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president.
The oath of office was administered Monday afternoon by her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.
Delcy Rodríguez will be sworn in Monday as acting president, says brother
From CNN’s Michael Rios and Mauricio Torres
Delcy Rodríguez addresses the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Caracas, Venezuela, on August 11, 2025. Gaby Oraa/Reuters/File
Delcy Rodríguez will be formally sworn in on Monday as acting president of Venezuela, according to her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez.
The parliamentary leader said the ceremony will take place this afternoon, a day after Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president by order of the Supreme Court of Justice due to Nicolás Maduro’s inability to serve as president.
Venezuela orders arrest of anyone who supports US attack, according to decree published today
From CNNE's Gonzalo Zegarra
The government of Venezuela published on Monday the decree of the State of External Commotion, which grants broad powers to the presidency and orders security forces to capture “any person involved in the promotion or support” of the United States’ attack against the South American country.
The document, dated Saturday, is signed by now ousted President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured that morning by US military forces and is currently imprisoned in New York.
“The national, state, and municipal police agencies must immediately undertake the search and capture throughout the national territory of any person involved in the promotion or support of the armed attack by the United States of America against the territory of the Republic (…) with a view to their prosecution,” states the text, endorsed by the now acting president, Delcy Rodríguez.
The decree had been prepared and announced at the end of September, weeks after the start of the US naval deployment in the Caribbean, but its contents were unknown, having been updated with the events of the weekend. The measure has the force of law and will remain in effect for 90 days, with a possible extension for another 90 days.
The Constitution of Venezuela establishes that, in states of emergency, a decree guarantees the president almost total political, economic, and social power over the country. This is the first time this provision has been invoked since the current Constitution was approved in 1999, which states that it may be decreed in the event of a conflict that “seriously endangers the security of the nation, its citizens, or its institutions.”
Analysis: A look behind the scenes of how defense lawyers were chosen for Nicolás Maduro and his wife
From CNN's John Miller
It was a weekend of scrambling for lawyers in the criminal defense community and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s aides before the legal representation for him and his wife, Cilia Flores, became public today, sources say.
CNN spoke to people familiar with the conversations and other lawyers contacted. Each spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the conversations and the fact that none could say they had been retained.
A look at the weekend: As news of Maduro’s dramatic surprise arrest dominated the airwaves this weekend, discussions began late Saturday, continuing through Sunday evening, between “people with indirect relationships with the Venezuelan government” and some of New York’s major criminal defense attorneys according to those same sources.
Questions raised in discussions: Logistics and finance for what will clearly be a long, expensive defense were discussed, said two people with direct knowledge of the conversations.
- Who would they be retained by? Would it be the current Venezuelan government or would they be retained personally by Maduro and his wife?
- How would the case be financed?
- Would the same lawyers or firm be asked to represent both the president and his wife, or, because their interests at trial may conflict, would their defenses be at odds? This happened with the cases against former New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife.
- A case like this could cost $5 million to $10 million to properly defend, legal experts say, given the number of allegations, the volume of discovery evidence, the number of government witnesses to be investigated by defense, and the timeline of the case, which spans more than 20 years.
The retention of a legal team is a big decision in a case where the legal and geopolitical stakes are this high, said Elie Honig, a former assistant US Attorney from the Southern District of New York and CNN Senior Legal Analyst.
“I wouldn’t expect Maduro to be working the phones at the MDC (Metropolitan Detention Center) calling down the list of lawyers making inquiries. This is the kind of thing usually handled by surrogates,” Honig said.
Who was chosen: At today’s hearing, Maduro was represented by Barry Pollack, a well-known lawyer based in Washington, DC. Pollack has previously represented Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in his case against the US government. Maduro’s wife, Celia Flores, was represented by Mark Donnelly, a Houston-based former federal prosecutor.
CNN reporter describes Maduro as "assertive" and "confident" in court
From CNN's Catherine Nicholls
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was “assertive” and “confident” during his appearance at a New York courthouse a short while ago, CNN’s Laura Coates, who was in the courtroom, described.
“Maduro was assertive. He was confident. His voice was loud, and he was quite intentional about every word he was saying. He wanted to describe what he perceives as a heightened indignity of having been removed from his home and having been captured, describing himself as a prisoner of war,” she told CNN’s Dana Bash.
Maduro spoke “quite confidently,” Coates added, saying he had his fingertips touching the table in front of him when he spoke. He also took “copious notes,” she said.
Meanwhile, as we’ve reported, Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores appeared to be injured, swaying and dipping her head at times, according to CNN’s Omar Jimenez. Maduro also seemed injured, struggling to sit down and stand up at points, both reporters mentioned.
At the end of the court session, a CNN producer saw a man inside the courtroom standing up and shouting at Maduro in Spanish, saying that he would pay for what he has done to Venezuela.
In response, Maduro pointed to the sky and told the protester that he was a man of God and the president of Venezuela.
CNN’s Gordon Ebanks contributed reporting to this post.
Key moments from Maduro’s first court appearance
From CNN’s Maureen Chowdhury, Holmes Lybrand and Lauren del Valle
Security stands outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse as ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, made an appearance in New York on Monday. Bryan R. Smith/AFP/Getty Images
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty during their first court appearance this afternoon in New York.
Both appeared before federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
“I am innocent, I am not guilty,” Maduro told the judge, “I’m a decent man.”
Maduro later added, “I am not guilty of anything that is mentioned here.”
Flores also pleaded not guilty.
“Not guilty, completely innocent,” she told the judge.
Neither are seeking bail or release. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17 at 11 a.m. ET.
Here are other key moments from today’s hearing:
- Arraignment: Maduro attempted to elaborate on the circumstances of his capture when the judge asked him to confirm his identity, noting through a translator, “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.” Maduro also stated that he is the president of Venezuela. The judge went on to say, “There will be a time and a place to go into all of this.”
- Indictment: When asked by the judge if he would like the indictment to be read to him in court, Maduro told the judge, “I have it in my hands for the first time.” He also said he’d rather read through it himself.
- Plea: After entering a plea of not guilty to all four charges, Maduro said, “I am still president of my country,” before being cut off by the judge.
- Health and medical care: Pollack also said that medical assistance will need to be addressed for Maduro and Flores. Pollack noted to the judge that “there are some health and medical issues” for Maduro “that will require attention.” Flores’ attorney Mark Donnelly also noted that the ousted first lady sustained “significant injuries during her abduction.” He suggested she may have a fracture or severe bruising on her ribs and would need a physical evaluation.
- Consular visit: The judge informed Maduro and Flores that they have the right to speak with the consulate of Venezuela. Both defendants asked for that visit.
Nicolás Maduro's son says his father is "kidnapped" and calls for "international solidarity"
From CNN's Mauricio Torres
This screen grab from the Venezuelan state-run TV station VTV shows Nicolás Maduro Guerra speaking at the National Assembly of Venezuela on January 5, 2026. VTV
Nicolás Maduro Guerra, son of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, said Monday that his father was “kidnapped” by the United States and called for “international solidarity” with him so he can return to the South American country.
Maduro Guerra made these statements during the installation session of the National Assembly of Venezuela, held two days after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a US military operation in Caracas. During his speech, Maduro Guerra said the operation violated Venezuela’s sovereignty and warned that it could happen in another country.
“If we normalize the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today it’s Venezuela, tomorrow it could be any nation that refuses to submit. This is not a regional problem, it is a direct threat to global stability, to humanity and to the sovereign equality of nations,” he said.
“People of the world, I say to you: international solidarity with Nicolás, with Cilia, with Venezuela, is not an optional political gesture, it is an ethical and legal duty. Silence in the face of these violations implicates those who remain silent and weakens the international system that everyone claims to defend,” he said.
Maduro Guerra also referred to being included in the latest US indictment against his father, Flores and others, who are accused of drug trafficking and weapons offenses. Maduro Guerra rejected the charges. “My family and I are being persecuted,” he said.
Maduro's lawyers will likely attack legality of arrest before getting to any evidence, CNN analyst says
From CNN's Elise Hammond
Before even getting to the evidence of the charges against Nicolás Maduro, his lawyers are likely to argue that he is not legally in custody in the first place, CNN’s chief law enforcement and intelligence analyst John Miller said.
The first thing Maduro’s legal team will do will be to “attack the arrest and the legitimacy of his custody,” Miller said. In court today, Maduro’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, told the judge that there are issues with the legalities of his client’s military abduction.
Maduro himself also said in court that he was captured at his home and insisted that he is the president of Venezuela — another point his legal team will likely argue early on in the process, Miller said.
Pollack told the judge that Maduro is the head of a sovereign state and is entitled to the privilege and immunity of that office. However, that is disputed, with the United States not recognizing Maduro or his regime as the legitimate government after several disputed elections.
The unusual aspects of Maduro's first appearance
From CNN's Casey Gannon
Nicolás Maduro’s first court appearance in New York today has had a “show aspect” to it, CNN Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez said on air.
“They paraded him in front of cameras,” Perez said while outside the court on Monday. “This is very unusual in federal court here in the federal system.”
“Usually, you don’t have mugshots of people released because of the danger that (it) poses for their ability to present their defense, innocent until proven guilty,” he added.
Perez noted that as the president of another country, Maduro is used to calling the shots himself.
“He’s used to running things himself, he’s used to being able to issue orders and decide how things (are) going,” Perez said.
“I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela," Maduro tells the judge
From CNN's Hannah Rabinowitz
Within minutes of his first federal court appearance, Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro stood before a judge and said, “I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela.”
The statement previews what is likely to be one of the main defenses: that his dead of night arrest in a foreign country by US law enforcement – a “military abduction,” in his attorney’s words – violated the law.
It’s not the first time that a defendant has made this argument. Over three decades ago, Panama’s Manuel Noriega accused the US of violating both international law and due process protections by invading Panama and arresting him abroad.
But that argument was unsuccessful, as the courts refused to consider the legality of the Panama invasion itself and only focused on the allegations in Noriega’s indictment. Whether courts will reconsider that precedent in Maduro’s case remains to be seen.
It is unusual to for a criminal defendant to say anything to a judge during an initial appearance, as defense attorneys typically warn their clients that anything they say could be used in their prosecution.
Judge Alvin Hellerstein made a similar warning to Maduro on Monday as the Venezuelan president spoke.
“There will be a time and a place to go into all of this,” the judge said.
Brother of Venezuela's acting president re-appointed leader of National Assembly
From CNN's Michael Rios
Venezuela's National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez speaks during an extraordinary session at the National Assembly in Caracas on December 23, 2025. Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
Jorge Rodríguez, the brother of Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, has been re-appointed President of the National Assembly.
Lawmakers reelected him to lead parliament on Monday with overwhelming support.
This puts the Rodriguez siblings in control of Venezuela’s executive and legislative branches.
Use of translator could make it harder for judge to control scope of Maduro's answers, analyst says
From CNN's Elise Hammond
Ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro is speaking using a translator during his first court appearance in New York today — something that could make it more difficult for the judge to limit the scope of Maduro’s answers.
CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said the former Venezuelan leader “seems to be answering a little bit more than the judge is asking for.”
For example, when entering a plea, Maduro said, “I am innocent, I am not guilty.” He also added that he was “a decent man.” When he was asked by the judge to confirm his name, Maduro said he was the president of Venezuela and said he was captured at his home.
When answers and responses are going through a translator, “it’s harder for a judge to control the proceedings, because if someone’s speaking in English, the judge can just cut them off if he’s saying too much,” Honig said.
In this case, the judge has to wait for everything to be translated. “So we’ll see to what extent Maduro is disciplined and stays within the parameters of the court,” Honig added.
12:28 PM EST
Lauren del Valle Producer
An attorney for Flores also said she won't seek bail now. Their attorneys said they'd make an application later.
12:27 PM EST
Holmes Lybrand Reporter
"Mr. Maduro is not seeking release at this time," his attorney told the judge about bail.
12:27 PM EST
Lauren del Valle Producer
Hellerstein said he believed Maduro had a right to keep them. A prosecutor said they'd work with the defense attorneys and US Marshals to sort that out.
12:26 PM EST
Holmes Lybrand Reporter
Both Maduro and his wife are wearing dark prison scrub tops. One seat is separating the two.
Crowds gather outside New York courthouse where Maduro is appearing
From CNN's Nicki Brown and Carolyn Sung
People protest outside Manhattan Federal Court before the arraignment of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 5 in New York. Stefan Jeremiah/AP
Crowds of people have been gathering near the New York courthouse where ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is currently appearing.
Two groups divided into opposite pens were on scene to demonstrate, some cheering on his capture and others protesting against it.
People waving Venezuelan flags were seen shouting chants including: “Who are we? Venezuela! What do we want? Libertad!”
One person was seen waving a large flagpole with a Venezuelan flag, as well as a flag that said “Trump for king.” Another person held a sign reading, “Free our political prisoners in Venezuela.”
Others were seen holding banners reading, “Free President Maduro.” They were also waving Venezuelan flags.
What to expect from Maduro’s court appearance underway now
From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury
Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is making his first court appearance in New York after his capture following a US operation on Saturday. He is facing drug and weapons charges.
Here’s what we can expect from today’s hearing, according to CNN’s senior legal analyst Elie Honig.
- First, there will be an arraignment, where Maduro will be advised of the charges against him and given an opportunity to enter a plea.
- Next, the judge will ensure that Maduro has been appointed a defense counsel.
- Then, the judge will consider bail — though Maduro is unlikely to be granted it.
- Finally, the judge will likely lay out a schedule for the case. We may learn how quickly the case will move, how much time the parties will have to file motions, and possibly a trial date.
US energy and oil stocks rise as Wall Street watches Venezuela
From CNN's John Towfighi
Energy and oil stocks jumped higher Monday as investors assessed the prospect of US companies gaining access to Venezuela’s oil reserves and the country’s drilling potential.
- Chevron (CVX) — the only US oil company still operating in Venezuela — rose 5.3%. Chevron shares led the Dow higher, which surged 725 points, or 1.5%, and hit an intraday record high.
- Oil-service companies Halliburton (HAL) and SLB (SLB) surged 9.1% and 9.6%, respectively.
- Oil refiners Valero Energy (VLO) and Phillips66 (PSX) jumped 7.8% and 6%, respectively.
- Exxon Mobil (XOM) gained 2.3% and ConocoPhillips (COP) rose 2.8%.
Oil stocks’ gains reflect expectations that US companies might benefit as President Donald Trump says the US will revamp Venezuela’s oil industry.
While oil stocks surged, oil prices rose by roughly 1.3%. Venezuela’s beleaguered oil infrastructure and the challenges associated with ramping up production make the recent developments less consequential for global oil markets.
“Venezuela’s global economic importance has diminished significantly over the past 50 years,” Neil Shearing, group chief economist at Capital Economics, said in a note.
“In theory, Venezuela could again become a major producer,” Shearing said. “But theory and reality diverge sharply … Venezuela’s oil infrastructure has also been heavily degraded by decades of underinvestment and much of Venezuela’s oil is extremely heavy, making it relatively costly to extract and process.”
US envoy says Maduro's capture was "law enforcement operation," US "not occupying" Venezuela
From CNN's Christian Edwards
US Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz listens during a UN Security Council emergency meeting to discuss recent US actions in Venezuela on January 5, in New York. John Lamparski/AFP/Getty Images
The capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro was a “law enforcement operation,” the United States envoy to the United Nations said Monday, stressing that the US is “not occupying a country.”
Mike Waltz described US military action in Venezuela on Saturday as a “surgical law enforcement operation facilitated by the US military against two indicted fugitives of American justice: narco-terrorist Nicolas Maduro and (his wife) Cilia Flores.”
He told a UN Security Council meeting that Maduro is “responsible for attacks on the people of the United States, for destabilizing the western hemisphere and illegitimately repressing the people of Venezuela.”
“There is no war against Venezuela or its people. We are not occupying a country,” Waltz said.
The envoy said that US President Donald Trump – who said Saturday that the US will “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can be ensured – had “(given) diplomacy a chance,” which he claimed Maduro failed to take.
“The United States wants a better future for Venezuela. We believe a better future for the people of Venezuela and for the people of the region and the world is stabilizing the region and making the neighborhood that we live in a much better and safer place,” Waltz said.
