Confusion gripped Caracas after conflicting claims circulated that Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been taken into custody during a United States military operation, while Washington and Venezuelan authorities offered sharply different accounts and no independent confirmation emerged.The reports, which began spreading before dawn on Saturday, asserted that a US-led action had secured Maduro and Flores and removed them from the capital. Senior figures in the Venezuelan government quickly rejected the account, saying the president remained in the country and that the armed forces were operating under the existing chain of command. US officials, speaking on background, declined to confirm any detention, saying only that Washington continued to pursue “lawful pressure” against individuals it accuses of serious crimes.
The lack of clarity has thrown a spotlight on who is exercising authority inside Venezuela. State television continued to broadcast routine programming, while the defence ministry issued statements in the name of the high command without showing Maduro. Cabinet ministers appeared at scheduled events, insisting continuity of government. Opposition leaders urged calm and called for verifiable information, warning against rumours that could trigger unrest.
Analysts say the uncertainty itself is destabilising. Venezuela’s constitution provides for the vice-president to assume executive functions in defined circumstances, but no formal notice of incapacity or transfer of power has been published. The National Assembly, controlled by Maduro’s allies, has not been convened in emergency session. Regional governors reported heightened security but no nationwide curfew.
Washington has long accused Maduro of narcotics trafficking and corruption, allegations he denies, and has imposed layers of sanctions alongside indictments filed in US courts. Any unilateral military action on Venezuelan soil would mark a dramatic escalation and carry legal and diplomatic consequences, particularly given Caracas’s alliances with Russia, China and Iran. Neighbouring governments in Latin America sought clarification through diplomatic channels, wary of spillover risks from a sudden power vacuum.
Within Caracas, business activity slowed as residents queued at petrol stations and supermarkets, reflecting anxiety rather than confirmed disruption. Banks opened on time, the central bank did not announce emergency measures, and the currency market showed volatility typical of political shocks. Oil workers at the state producer PDVSA said operations continued, though contractors reported delays pending guidance from senior management.
Opposition figures framed the moment as a test of institutions rather than personalities. Some called for an internationally monitored process to verify leadership status and safeguard civil order. Others cautioned that celebrating unverified claims could invite a crackdown if proven false. Human rights groups urged restraint by security forces and respect for due process for any detainees.
The military’s stance remains pivotal. Public statements emphasised sovereignty and unity, but avoided naming the commander-in-chief. In past crises, the armed forces have rallied behind Maduro, benefiting from patronage networks and control over strategic sectors. Any sign of fracture would reshape the political landscape quickly.
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