Venezuela's diaspora is celebrating the U.S.-led ouster of Nicolas Maduro after over a decade in power. But relief is intermingled with fear, including over political prisoners still held by the weakened Caracas regime.

Caracas

The U.S has launched strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities and arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro along wife his wife.

Venezuela Strikes

Venezuelans worldwide, including those in exile, celebrated the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power after more than a decade of his rule. Many expressed hope for a return to freedom and the possibility of reuniting with family members separated by years of political turmoil. 

However, the event has also generated significant uncertainty and fear, as thousands remain detained for opposing Maduro, and concerns persist about the country's future. Regional reactions have been mixed, with some Latin American governments condemning the US role in Maduro's ouster and neighboring Colombia increasing border security amid heightened tensions.

Maduro's fall stirs fears for Venezuelan, regional stability

Across the world, Venezuelans poured onto the streets, like here in Florida, celebrating what many thought they'd never see, the removal of Maduro from power. Nicolás Maduro had run the country for more than a decade. Some Venezuelans watching from abroad expressed relief. I saw what Donald Trump did and I feel that as a country we are in a position where we need help from the US. This is how we can return to the freedom we had 26 years ago, before Maduro and his party. Maduro was widely accused of running an authoritarian government, marked by electoral fraud, human rights abuses and corruption. But those celebrations are mixed with fear. Thousands in Venezuela remain detained for opposing the deposed leader's government. Amnesty International says arbitrary arrests targeted political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders. We are very concerned what's going to happen, after all this that is happening, the uncertainty also, you know, the aftermath. Many Venezuelans like this couple say they can finally return home. And I can't say how happy I am because I don't know any other government, only them. It has been so many years suffering. I have been without my family for 16 years and I didn't want it to happen. Maduro was later seen at a US Drug Enforcement Administration facility in New York. Good night. Good night. Happy New Year. The geopolitical shockwaves are spreading across Latin America. Brazil, Cuba and Chile condemned the US action. Venezuela today, tomorrow could be anyone else. Colombia has beefed up its security along its roughly 2,000 km long border with Venezuela. There is high tension. This is a serious crisis. What's needed now is common sense, good judgment and humanity. On the streets of Caracas, some Maduro supporters say his removal would only deepen the crisis and are backing calls by authorities to mobilize. We're asking for the liberation of our president. Just like many years ago, when we asked for the liberation of Hugo Chavez. We elected Nicolás Maduro by vote. He's a president. He won the elections. Besides that, Trump is thinking that if he takes Maduro away, the revolution ends. No, the revolution continues. Because we're not going to allow the people who tried to kill us to come and take power in Venezuela. We can't allow it. For Venezuelans around the world, celebration now collides with uncertainty as their country begins a new chapter.

A day after the U.S. raid in Venezuela that captured former President Nicolás Maduro, President Trump has put new Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez on notice. "If she doesn't do what's right", Trump told the Atlantic on Sunday, "she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."

Washington

Uncertainty in Venezuela as Trump threatens country's new president

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is being housed at Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, after he was captured by U.S. forces and flown to New York to face federal drug trafficking and weapons charges.

Maduro held in same jail as Sean "Diddy" Combs, Luigi Mangione

Police have identified all 40 victims who died in a New Year's Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, including multiple teenagers. Two managers of Le Constellation bar have been placed under investigation for criminal negligence, according to prosecutors.

Crans-Montana

Police identify all 40 victims of Swiss bar fire

Seized overnight from their home on a military base on Saturday, Venezuela's toppled leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife are now being held in a New York detention centre. The apprehension is the U.S.'s most controversial in Latin America since the invasion of Panama 36 years ago.

U.S justifies Venezuela operation to capture Nicolás Maduro

As Venezuela grapples with the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the country’s top court has named Delcy Rodríguez as the acting president. The 56-year-old has served as Venezuela’s vice-president since 2018.

Venezuela’s top court names new president after Maduro’s ouster

Sunday's launches came hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for a summit with President Xi Jinping, for talks expected to cover North Korea's nuclear program.

Pyongyang

North Korea carries out new ballistic missiles test

The strikes occurred Saturday evening on an underground facility in the mountains just north of the historic town of Palmyra in Homs province.

Palmyra

British, French warplanes strike suspected IS facility in Syria

At least 30 people have been killed and several others abducted after gunmen attacked a market in Nigeria’s Niger State, according to police. The attackers stormed Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village on Saturday afternoon, setting stalls on fire and looting food.

Niger

At least 30 killed in market attack in Nigeria’s Niger State

Pope Leo has expressed deep concern over the recent U.S. raid in Venezuela, urging that the well-being of the Venezuelan people must take precedence over all other considerations.

Rome

Pope voices concern over U.S. raid in Venezuela, calls for peace

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was in a New York jail Saturday, hours after American special forces seized and flew him out of his country — which President Donald Trump said would come under effective U.S. control.

Venezuela's Maduro arrives in New York after being abducted by U.S.

President Donald Trump says the people of Venezuela are now free of Maduro's dictatorship. But Venezuela's vice president has demanded the US send Maduro back, calling him the rightful president.

Trump says U.S will ‘run’ Venezuela after Maduro seized

After their capture, former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife were flown to Stewart International Airport, 60 miles north of New York City, then will be helicoptered to Manhattan. They will be processed at the headquarters of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Ali Bauman reports.

U.S. treating Nicolás Maduro like a drug kingpin, federal authorities say

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is in New York after he was captured by U.S forces during a daring raid. President Trump said the U.S. will be running the Latin American country, for now.

New York

First images emerge of Nicolás Maduro after capture by U.S.

No U.S. service members were killed in the military operation in Venezuela, the Trump administration said. CBS News national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata has more details.

No U.S. service members killed in Venezuela operation, Trump administration says

The United Nations, along with a host of countries including France, China and Russia have criticized U.S strikes on Venezuela and capture of Nicolás Maduro as a violation of international law.

World reacts to U.S. strikes on Venezuela, capture of Nicolás Maduro

Initial investigations suggest the fire that tore through a Swiss ski resort bar New Year's Eve, killing at least 40 and injuring dozens of others, started when 'fountain candles' attached to champagne bottles were carried too close to the ceiling.

Sion

Deadly Swiss fire likely caused by champagne sparklers

BYD is now the world's top seller of electric cars, overtaking Tesla after a decade of dominance by Elon Musk's company. Bloomberg's Ed Ludlow breaks down how the world's richest man came in second.

Austin

BYD topples Tesla as world's biggest EV brand

In a surprise attack overnight on Saturday, the United States launched strikes against Venezuelan capital Caracas and other cities. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Nicolas Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of the country". Follow for live updates.

Trump says U.S. 'will run' Venezuela until 'safe' transition

In a surprise attack overnight on Saturday, the United States launched strikes against Venezuelan capital Caracas and other cities. US President Donald Trump stated that Nicolas Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of the country".

Maduro to be brought to New York after Venezuela capture, Trump says

US strikes rocked Venezuela's capital early Saturday after months of threats by Donald Trump against Nicolas Maduro. Trump later confirmed the United States had carried out the strikes and captured the Venezuelan leader.

Venezuela says 'rejects with all our strength presence of foreign troops'

Separatist forces in Yemen say at least seven people were killed in Saudi airstrikes on Friday, as tensions deepen between regional allies. The strikes come while the Saudi-backed governor of Hadramout province says “peaceful” efforts are underway to retake military bases abandoned by Emirati-backed separatists, highlighting the latest escalation in the rift between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

Seiyun

Saudi airstrikes kill seven in Yemen as tensions deepen between allies

Venezuela slams U.S. strikes amid Maduro's ouster

Venezuela said it rejected "military aggression" by the United States after multiple explosions rocked capital Caracas and other areas early on Saturday. Attacks took place in the capital of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.

Trump says Venezuela's Maduro captured after U.S. strikes

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy has appointed Gen. Kyrylo Budanov as the new chief of staff. At a pivotal moment in Moscow's nearly four-year invasion, Budanov will be central to Ukraine’s wartime decision-making.

Kyiv

Zelenskyy taps military intelligence chief as top aide

President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, as the administration early Saturday ratcheted up its campaign against the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

U.S. launches military strikes on Venezuela

A potential New Year's Eve terror attack inspired by ISIS was thwarted in North Carolina, authorities announced. A suspect is in custody, accused of planning to attack a grocery store and a fast food restaurant in the town of Mint Hill, which is located near Charlotte. Scott MacFarlane has the latest.

Charlotte

Potential terror attack thwarted in North Carolina, officials say

The blaze at Le Constellation, killing at least 40 people and injuring about 115 others, many seriously, was likely started by sparklers in champagne bottles, authorities said on Friday afternoon, as identification of those killed and injured continued.

Deadly Swiss Alps bar fire likely started by sparklers

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro says he is open to talks with President Trump on several issues, including drug trafficking, oil and migration.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro open to talks with Trump

Whenever, wherever, however - that's the Venezuelan President's offer to sell more oil to the U.S., as he pleads for diplomacy, not conflict. It comes after Washington hit five more alleged drug boats with airstrikes and reportedly struck Venezuelan soil for the first time. Meanwhile, the U.S. Coast Guard is in hot pursuit of an oil tanker which is suddenly claiming to be Russian.

Maduro open to talks with Trump over fight against drug trafficking

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened on Friday (January 2) to come to the aid of protesters in Iran if security forces fire on them, days into unrest that has left several dead and posed the biggest internal threat to Iranian authorities in years.

Maduro's fall stirs fears for Venezuelan, regional stability

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Venezuela Strikes