Changes

The raid early Sunday morning, which took place in what should have been highly contested airspace and was preceded by a minimal or borderline nonexistent SEAD campaign, was only possible since the Venezuelan military had received a stand-down order.  Maduro, who has been in [[negotiation]]s with the [[US]] for a controlled transition of power since 2024, was betrayed by the Venezuelan power structure and even his own personal bodyguard and eventually gave himself up willingly.

The raid early Sunday morning, which took place in what should have been highly contested airspace and was preceded by a minimal or borderline nonexistent SEAD campaign, was only possible since the Venezuelan military had received a stand-down order.  Maduro, who has been in [[negotiation]]s with the [[US]] for a controlled transition of power since 2024, was betrayed by the Venezuelan power structure and even his own personal bodyguard and eventually gave himself up willingly.

Maduro was brought to the United States and incarcerated. By Monday mornings arraignment in [[New York City]] the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] had dropped several of the most serious charges.<ref>https://archive.ph/EbLvr</ref> ''[[Reuters]]'' and other [[MSM|maninstream]] [[fake news]] sites reported that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez had fled to Russia.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/venezuela-vice-president-rodriguez-in-russia-four-sources-say/ar-AA1TvcwF</ref> However, she sworn in as Acting President in [[Caracas]] within hours after the kidnapping. Defense Minister [[Diosdado Cabello]] remained in place. The government issued a fierce statement:

Maduro was brought to the United States and incarcerated. By Monday morning's arraignment in [[New York City]] the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] had dropped several of the most serious charges.<ref>https://archive.ph/EbLvr</ref> ''[[Reuters]]'' and other [[MSM|maninstream]] [[fake news]] sites reported that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez had fled to Russia.<ref>https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/venezuela-vice-president-rodriguez-in-russia-four-sources-say/ar-AA1TvcwF</ref> However, she sworn in as Acting President in [[Caracas]] within hours after the kidnapping. Defense Minister [[Diosdado Cabello]] remained in place. The government issued a fierce statement:

{{Cquote|The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s [[strategic]] [[resources]], particularly its [[oil]] and [[REM|mineral]]s, in an attempt to forcibly break the [[nation]]'s [[political]] [[independence]]. They will not succeed. After more than 200 years of independence, the people and their [[legitimate]] [[government]] remain steadfast in defending their [[sovereignty]] and their [[inalienable right]] to decide their own destiny. The attempt to impose a [[colonial]] [[war]] to destroy the [[republican]] form of government and force a "[[regime change]]," in alliance with the [[fascist]] [[oligarchy]], will fail like all previous attempts.}}

{{Cquote|The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s [[strategic]] [[resources]], particularly its [[oil]] and [[REM|mineral]]s, in an attempt to forcibly break the [[nation]]'s [[political]] [[independence]]. They will not succeed. After more than 200 years of independence, the people and their [[legitimate]] [[government]] remain steadfast in defending their [[sovereignty]] and their [[inalienable right]] to decide their own destiny. The attempt to impose a [[colonial]] [[war]] to destroy the [[republican]] form of government and force a "[[regime change]]," in alliance with the [[fascist]] [[oligarchy]], will fail like all previous attempts.}}

More than 40 Venezuelans were reported killed in the raid and no Americans.<ref>https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-strikes-in-venezuela-kill-at-least-40-wreak-havoc-in-residential-areas-report-13965277.html</ref> One American [[helicopter]] was reported to have received some damage. The government called on its people to defend the country.

More than 40 Venezuelans were reported killed in the raid and no Americans.<ref>https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-strikes-in-venezuela-kill-at-least-40-wreak-havoc-in-residential-areas-report-13965277.html</ref> One American [[helicopter]] was reported to have received some damage. The government called on its people to defend the country.