Venezuela has made a surprise move, demonstrating that the government of Delcy Rodriguez still controls the military and, by extension, the situation in the country for the time being. It has declared a general mobilization to protect the oil and other strategic enterprises of the nation, which are coveted by the USA under Donald Trump. By fortifying the major energy companies and the military, the Venezuelan government is throwing the ball into Donald Trump's court, who now faces a strategic dilemma:
To launch a full-scale attack against Caracas, assuming whatever risk this operation entails for the US, or to accept the strategic vacuum in which it has fallen by abducting Nicolas Maduro without being able to further support this strategy with planned steps. This is because the political puppets of the USA in Venezuela can neither gain nor receive the popular legitimacy required to take the reins of the country in the post-Maduro era. At the same time, before the American court in New York, Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in the US and stressed: "I am an honest man; I am still the president of Venezuela."
Venezuela shocks Trump with general mobilization!
The authorities of Venezuela have declared a general mobilization, while a "war regime" has been imposed on workers in the petroleum industry and other sectors of strategic importance, reports the Ria agency, citing a decree.
"The immediate mobilization of the national armed forces throughout the country and the use of the existing national power potential to repel foreign aggression is ordered," the document states. It is noted that state infrastructure, the oil industry, and other key state sectors will be militarized.
Strategic enterprises under martial law, situation complicates for Trump
Personnel in these enterprises will be temporarily placed under the status of martial law. Patrols and security measures will be strengthened at the country's land, air, and sea borders. The document is dated January 3 and is valid for 90 days from the date of its publication. On January 3, it was reported that the US military carried out airstrikes against targets in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and across the country.
Subsequently, American President Donald Trump issued a statement announcing that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were arrested and removed from the country.
Government buildings in Caracas have been evacuated
Government buildings in Caracas were evacuated after gunshots were heard near the Miraflores presidential palace, the Caracol radio station reported. "Caracol sources reported that ministries and government buildings located at the center of the clashes (downtown Caracas) are being evacuated at this time.
Businesses and neighborhoods near the site of the shooting are closed due to the emergency, leaving shoppers and residents trapped inside until the situation improves," reports the Caracol radio station.
Maduro's first hearing in American court: "I am innocent, I am honest, I am the president of Venezuela"
Nicolas Maduro and his wife appeared before the bench at 19:00 (Athens time). The proceedings took place with simultaneous translation. The defense attorney for Nicolas Maduro, Barry J. Pollack, arrived shortly before, according to Sky News, and greeted the prosecutors. Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in the US and stressed: "I am an honest man; I am still the president of Venezuela." For her part, Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded innocent, saying that "I am the first lady of Venezuela."
Lawyers for both Maduro and his wife stated that their clients would not seek release on bail for the time being. They added that they would file an application at a later date. For his part, the judge set a new hearing for March 17, while informing the couple that they have the right to communicate with consular authorities. Maduro replied that he wishes for a relevant visit to take place.
"I was arrested at my home in Caracas, Venezuela"
Minutes after his first appearance in federal court, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stood before a judge and said: "I was arrested at my home in Caracas, Venezuela." As the American network CNN reports, the statement foreshadows what will likely be one of his main defense claims: that his arrest in cold blood in a foreign country by American authorities—a "military abduction," in the words of his lawyer—violated the law.
This is not the first time a defendant has raised this argument. Three decades ago, Manuel Noriega of Panama accused the US of violating both international law and the protection of due process by invading Panama and arresting him, transporting him abroad. But this argument was unsuccessful, as the courts refused to examine the legality of the invasion of Panama itself and focused only on the allegations in Noriega's indictment. "There will be time and place to examine all this," the judge said.
The charges to be brought against Maduro and his wife
The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, were brought to a New York court. This is the Manhattan court, where formal charges will be brought against the Venezuelan leader and his wife, who were abducted by American special forces.
According to preliminary information, American prosecutors accuse Nicolás Maduro of "establishing a criminal organization—a drug cartel," "illegal enrichment through drug trafficking," and "terrorism." If all the penalties provided for by the aforementioned articles of the US penal code are merged, Nicolás Maduro faces up to three life sentences. His wife faces a minimum of 18 years in prison for "complicity."
Assange's lawyer in the defense of Nicolas Maduro
It is noteworthy that the interests of Nicolás Maduro in court will be represented by Washington-based lawyer Barry Pollack. Barry Pollack is known for the legal efforts that led to the release of Julian Assange. However, Julian Assange was forced to accept a judicial compromise: he was required to plead guilty to espionage and disclosure of classified information in exchange for recognition of the time he had already served in prison at the time of his "confession." After his release, Julian Assange left for Australia. It is recalled that the "classified information" for which Julian Assange was accused concerned crimes committed by the American military, including in Iraq.
Barry Pollack has a reputation as one of the most effective lawyers in the US. Experts in the US believe that Barry Pollack is in a good position to secure the release of Nicolás Maduro. One of his key arguments is that the US acted without a UN mandate during his arrest and that the American President violated domestic law by failing to inform Congress. Lawyer Mark Donnelly from Texas will represent Cilia Flores. He has a less impressive record than Barry Pollack. His most prominent case is undoubtedly the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as president of Venezuela
Supporters of Nicolás Maduro have gathered outside the New York court, demanding the release of the president of Venezuela and simultaneously a criminal investigation against Donald Trump, who ordered the abduction of the head of state and his wife.
Meanwhile, in Caracas, transitional President Delcy Rodriguez was officially sworn in. She had been serving as vice president and energy minister under Nicolás Maduro.
Russian rage at the UN: "The USA conducted a global burglary by abducting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro"
Meanwhile, the Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, described the abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by the US as an "act of robbery." The UN meeting on the situation in Venezuela was broadcast live on the Russian diplomatic service's Telegram channel.
"The robbery against the leader of Venezuela, accompanied by the death of several dozen citizens of Venezuela and Cuba, became in the eyes of many the harbinger of a return to an era of lawlessness and American dominance through violence," said Vasily Nebenzya. The Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN added that there can be no justification for the crime committed cynically by Washington in Caracas. According to Vasily Nebenzya, the US, with its operation in Venezuela, is giving new impetus to neocolonialism.
The diplomat also pointed out the unacceptability of allowing the United States to establish itself in the role of international judge. Furthermore, Vasily Nebenzya stressed during the meeting that Moscow was shocked by the cynicism with which Washington "did not even try to cover up its real goals" in Venezuela. As Secretary-General António Guterres stated, the UN calls on all political forces in Venezuela to participate in an "inclusive democratic dialogue" to determine the future of the country. The UN Secretary-General noted that the United States failed to comply with international law during its operation in Venezuela. On January 3, 2026, the United States launched an attack on Venezuela and abducted Nicolás Maduro and his wife. In the United States, the country's leader will be brought to trial for crimes related to the creation of a drug cartel.
www.bankingnews.gr
Σχόλια αναγνωστών