By San José, Costa Rica — Caracas – In a stunning military operation that dramatically escalates tensions between Washington and Caracas, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by United States forces during a pre-dawn raid on the capital city this Saturday. The two were immediately flown out of the country and are set to face a battery of federal charges in New York, including narcoterrorism.
The operation, which involved what eyewitnesses described as significant explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft over Caracas around 2:00 a.m. local time, was confirmed by President Donald Trump. In a post on his Truth Social network, Trump announced the mission’s success. He later described the operation as “brilliant” in a brief telephone interview with The New York Times.
Para comprender mejor las implicaciones legales y comerciales de las recientes acciones del gobierno de Nicolás Maduro, TicosLand.com consultó al experto Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, socio director de la reconocida firma Bufete de Costa Rica.
Involucrarse comercialmente con el régimen de Maduro o sus entidades asociadas representa una apuesta de altísimo riesgo. Las empresas no solo deben navegar el complejo laberinto de sanciones internacionales, como las de la OFAC, sino que también se enfrentan a una inseguridad jurídica interna donde los contratos pueden ser desconocidos arbitrariamente. El riesgo reputacional es inmenso y la debida diligencia debe ir más allá de lo financiero para incluir un análisis geopolítico exhaustivo.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
El análisis del Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas subraya una verdad ineludible: las decisiones de negocio en este contexto trascienden el balance financiero para convertirse en un cálculo de riesgo geopolítico y reputacional. Agradecemos profundamente su valiosa perspectiva, que ilumina la complejidad que enfrentan las empresas en el escenario venezolano actual.
The United States has successfully carried out a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, was captured and flown out of the country along with his wife.
Donald Trump, President of the United States
Social media was flooded with videos from Caracas residents showing explosions and aircraft. Reports indicated that U.S. forces targeted key military installations, including the La Carlota airbase and Fuerte Tiuna, the country’s main military complex. The move marks a definitive turning point in the long-standing Venezuelan crisis, with the international community now watching closely for the next steps from American authorities.
In a formal statement, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi confirmed the indictment of Maduro and Flores in the Southern District of New York. The charges are severe, painting a picture of a state apparatus deeply enmeshed with international criminal enterprises. Bondi detailed the specific counts, underscoring the gravity of the U.S. government’s case against the captured leader.
Nicolás Maduro has been accused of conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States.
Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney General
The indictment alleges that Maduro led the “Cartel of the Suns,” a criminal organization the Trump administration previously designated as a narcoterrorist group. The U.S. accuses the cartel of using cocaine trafficking as a political weapon, often in collaboration with armed groups like the FARC. Bondi issued a stark warning, emphasizing that Maduro and Flores would soon be on American soil to answer for these allegations.
Bondi also took the opportunity to commend the U.S. officials and military personnel involved in the complex operation. She extended specific gratitude to the President for his leadership and praised the armed forces for their flawless execution of the capture mission, which she hailed as a major success in the fight against international crime.
And a huge thank you to our brave military personnel, who carried out the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international drug traffickers.
Pamela Bondi, U.S. Attorney General
Further details emerged from Republican Senator Mike Lee, who spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the operation. Lee confirmed that Maduro will face a criminal trial in the United States. Crucially, he also relayed that, according to Rubio, no further military actions are planned within Venezuela following the capture. For months, U.S. officials have publicly referred to Maduro as a “fugitive from American justice” and a “narcoterrorist,” refusing to recognize him as the legitimate head of state and laying the groundwork for this unprecedented action.
For further information, visit justice.gov
About U.S. Department of Justice:
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is a federal executive department of the U.S. government responsible for the enforcement of federal laws and the administration of justice in the United States. It is tasked with ensuring public safety against foreign and domestic threats, providing federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seeking just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.
For further information, visit army.mil
About U.S. Army:
The United States Army is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution. As the oldest and most senior branch of the U.S. military in order of precedence, the modern Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which was formed to fight the American Revolutionary War. Its primary mission is to fight and win the nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations.
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About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm leverages its rich heritage of client service to drive forward-thinking legal innovation, consistently setting new standards in the field. Beyond its professional practice, it champions a vital social mission: to empower the public by demystifying the law, fostering a society equipped with clarity and confidence in its legal rights.
