The political landscape of Venezuela has been thrown into turmoil following a dramatic US military operation that resulted in the capture of the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores. The incident has triggered a defiant response from within the ruling circle, most notably from Maduro's son, who has issued a stark warning about betrayal.
Defiant Audio Message from 'The Prince'
In a tense audio message that rapidly spread across social media platforms, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of the deposed leader and a lawmaker himself, addressed the nation. He declared that he and his family were "fine" and "calm," but his words carried a sharp edge of anger and accusation. Guerra warned of potential betrayal within the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), stating that the truth would eventually come to light. "History will tell who the traitors were, history will reveal it. We will see," he asserted in the recording, as reported by El-cooperative.
He called for resilience, stating, "They want to see us weak; we are going to raise the banners of dignity." While acknowledging the personal pain and anger caused by the capture, he vowed resistance, swearing "on my life, on my mother, on Cilia: they won't be able to." To rally support, Guerra urged followers to participate in public mobilisations scheduled for January 4 and 5 to strengthen unity. He also emphasised the need for "political and military coordination" to counter what he labelled as "external aggression."
The US Operation and Serious Charges
This defiant stance comes in the wake of a significant military action by the United States. Earlier on Saturday, US forces launched coordinated attacks on various civilian and military installations across several Venezuelan states. US President Donald Trump announced that the operation was "large-scale" and confirmed the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
The captured couple was taken from their residence, transferred to the USS Iwo Jima warship, and subsequently flown to the United States. They arrived in New York on Saturday afternoon and are expected to appear before a federal court in the Southern District of New York on Monday. Nicolas Maduro is facing serious charges related to alleged "narco-terrorism and conspiracy to traffic drugs."
Guerra's Alleged Role in Drug Networks
The legal context for the US action is deeply tied to accusations of state-sponsored drug trafficking. Nicolas Maduro Guerra, also known by the nickname "The Prince," is himself a central figure in newly unsealed US indictments. US federal prosecutors allege that Guerra is a key orchestrator of a vast narcotics network that used state assets, military personnel, and political influence to ship cocaine from Venezuela to the United States. As a member of the PSUV from La Guaira state, his alleged activities highlight the severe accusations of corruption and criminality levied against the top echelons of the Venezuelan government by American authorities.
The capture of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores marks a pivotal moment in the long-standing tensions between Venezuela and the United States. While the Maduro family and its supporters prepare for a fight, framing the event as an illegal aggression, the US government is moving forward with a high-profile criminal prosecution that could have far-reaching consequences for the future of Venezuela and its leadership.
