Venezuelan - TheNigerian

Trump releases image of Venezuelan President, Maduro handcuffed, blindfolded on US warship

TheNigerian — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 19:08:52 +0000

The United States (US) President, Donald Trump, has released a photograph of the captured Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro.

US forces captured Maduro on Saturday, alongside his wife, in an audacious military operation.
He was apprehended a few months after the US government doubled the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million, citing his alleged role in international drug trafficking.

In an update, Trump, in a post on his Truth Social account, shared a picture of the handcuffed and blindfolded Venezuelan President, Maduro.

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Maduro: China slams US after Trump orders capture of Venezuelan president

TheNigerian — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 18:12:55 +0000

China has reacted to President Nicolas Maduro’s capture, following a US military strike in Venezuela, which was oredered by President Donald Trump.

Their position was contained in a statement on Saturday signed by a Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
China claimed it was the use of “force against a sovereign state and action against its president.”

It added that America’s military actions “violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region.”
China, being the biggest buyer of oil from the South American nation, had declared their support for Maduro ahead of the US strike.

Maduro also hosted the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Latin American Affairs Qiu Xiaoqi on Friday, a day before the US strikes.

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Iran, Russia, Colombia, Cuba reacts as US captures Venezuelan president, Maduro, wife

TheNigerian — Sat, 03 Jan 2026 14:20:50 +0000

Countries like Iran, Russia, Colombia, and Cuba have reacted to the capture of Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro by the United States.

US President, Donald Trump had announced the capture of Maduro and his wife.
Trump said they were flown out of the country after their capture.

But the Venezuelan government charged its US counterpart for proof of life for Maduro and his wife.
It also accused the US government of “extremely serious military aggression” by Washington while declaring a state of emergency as several leaders allied with Caracas denounced the US action.

However, in their separate reactions, Russia condemned the US military action as “an act of armed aggression against Venezuela.”
A statement by Russia’s Foreign Ministry said: “This is deeply concerning and condemnable.
“The pretexts used to justify such actions are untenable. Ideological hostility has triumphed over businesslike pragmatism.”

Iran, on its part, said it “strongly condemns the US military attack on Venezuela and a flagrant violation of the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called Maduro’s capture as US “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America, which would lead to a humanitarian crisis.
Colombia is a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council this year, and leftist leader Petro called for the body to meet “immediately.”

Cuba, an ally of Venezuela, denounced what it called “state terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people” according to a statement by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who urged a “response from the international community” following a “criminal attack” on Caracas.

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US Offers $25m Reward For Venezuelan President Maduro’s Arrest As He Begins Third Term

Admin — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 20:48:49 +0000

The United States government has announced a reward of up to $25 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of the president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro, who was sworn in for a third six-year term on Friday.

In a statement issued by the US Department of Treasury, the government emphasised its commitment to supporting democratic accountability in Venezuela, alleging that Maduro’s re-election was marked by widespread fraud and irregularities.

Acting under-secretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, Bradley Smith, critised Maduro’s leadership, stating, “Since last year’s election, Maduro and his associates have continued their repressive actions in Venezuela. The United States, together with our like-minded partners, stands in solidarity with the Venezuelan people’s vote for new leadership and rejects Maduro’s fraudulent claim of victory.”

Maduro’s re-election in 2024 was mired in controversy, with partial results from the National Electoral Council (CNE) declaring him the winner amidst allegations of vote-rigging. The US and other global leaders questioned the credibility of the poll, while Panama responded by suspending diplomatic ties with Venezuela.

During his inauguration on Friday, Maduro promised a new era of peace, prosperity, and democracy. However, the US dismissed his pledges, citing his administration’s ongoing actions against dissent in Venezuela.

The Treasury statement added, “Instead, Maduro and his representatives have continued their violent repression in an attempt to maintain power and have ignored the Venezuelan people’s calls for democratic accountability.”

In addition to the $25 million bounty on Maduro, the US State Department announced a $15 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Vladimir Padrino, Venezuela’s defense minister. Maduro’s interior minister also became a target of the same $25 million offer.

The US further imposed new visa restrictions on officials aligned with Maduro, accusing them of undermining Venezuela’s electoral process and engaging in acts of repression.

The US and its allies repeatedly urged Maduro to initiate a democratic transition. However, his government resisted the calls, maintaining its grip on power through what the US described as “violent repression”.

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