n with American law enforcement agencies. A press conference was scheduled for later Saturday in Florida, where further details are expected. Casualties and Emergency Measures Venezuela’s government confirmed that both civilians and military personnel were killed in the strikes, though no official figures were released. Explosions were reported in Caracas and several surrounding states, including Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, prompting authorities to declare a national emergency and mobilize troops nationwide. Residents described intense overnight bombardments, power outages near military installations, and aircraft flying at multiple altitudes over the capital. By early morning, soldiers were patrolling key areas, though much of the country appeared relatively calm. Venezuelan Officials Condemn Intervention Vice President Delcy Rodríguez , who could assume interim leadership, said she did not know Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded proof of life from the U.S. government. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino strongly condemned the operation, calling it a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and urging citizens to resist what he described as a foreign occupation. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello appealed to the public not to cooperate with U.S. forces, labeling them “terrorist enemies.” Possible U.S. Trial for Maduro Republican Senator Mike Lee said Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers that Maduro could face criminal charges in the United States, drawing comparisons to former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega , who was imprisoned in the U.S. after his capture in 1989. A senior U.S. official suggested no further military action was planned now that Maduro is in custody. International Reaction Russia, Cuba and Iran swiftly condemned the strikes. Iran called the operation a “blatant violation of national sovereignty” and urged the United Nations Security Council to intervene. Several Latin American governments, while critical of Maduro’s rule, expressed unease over direct U.S. military involvement. The action has revived regional memories of past U.S. interventions and renewed debate over Washington’s historic role in Latin America, often associated with the Monroe Doctrine and early 20th-century “gunboat diplomacy.” Political and Economic Implications Trump’s decision could face backlash from the U.S. Congress, which holds the constitutional authority to declare war, as well as from parts of his political base opposed to foreign military interventions. Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA reported no immediate disruption to oil production or refining, though damage was reported at the port of La Guaira. Energy analysts warned oil prices could rise in the short term due to uncertainty, but ease later if sanctions are lifted under a new Venezuelan government. Uncertain Path Forward Venezuelans expressed a mix of fear, shock and cautious optimism as they awaited clarity on what comes next. The opposition, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado , declined immediate comment but has long accused Maduro of election fraud and political repression. As the region and the world react, the future of Venezuela’s leadership—and the broader consequences of U.S. intervention—remain uncertain.