In a dramatic overnight military operation on Saturday, United States forces successfully captured Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The action has sent shockwaves through the South American nation and triggered jubilant reactions from the opposition.
Opposition Leader Hails a Historic Turning Point
Venezuela's prominent opposition figure, María Corina Machado, swiftly issued a statement celebrating the event. She declared that Washington had "fulfilled its promise" to uphold the law, framing the capture as the start of a long-awaited democratic transition for the crisis-ridden country.
Machado asserted that Maduro would now face "international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations." She emphatically announced, "The HOUR OF FREEDOM has arrived!" According to her, the US action was a direct consequence of Maduro's refusal to accept a negotiated exit from power, leaving no alternative.
Pledges for a New Venezuela
Machado positioned this moment as a pivotal shift for Venezuela's political future. She called for the restoration of popular and national sovereignty. "The time has come for Popular Sovereignty and National Sovereignty to prevail in our country," she stated.
In her vision for the future, she pledged to restore order, free political prisoners, build an exceptional country, and bring our children back home. She framed the capture as vindication for years of opposition struggle, stating, "We have fought for years, we have given everything, and it has been worth it. What had to happen is happening."
Opposition Ready to Assume Power
Machado expressed the opposition's readiness to take control, declaring, "Today we are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power." She urged her supporters to remain "vigilant, active and organised until the Democratic Transition is achieved."
She specifically credited the citizens who "risked everything for democracy on 28 July," calling this "the hour of the citizens."
Legal Reckoning Awaits
US officials confirmed that both Nicolás Maduro and his wife will face serious charges in American courts. They are set to be prosecuted on narco-terrorism charges, marking a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the US government and the Maduro administration.
The overnight operation and the subsequent statements signal a potentially transformative chapter in Venezuela's protracted political and economic crisis, with the world watching closely for the next developments.
