Mastodawn

WTF?

The #Trump admin “captured” #Venezuela President Nicolás #Maduro & his wife & flew him out of the country in an insane nighttime operation that was accompanied by a flurry of strikes following months of escalating pressure on the #oil-rich #SouthAmerica nation.

The US is now deciding next steps for Venezuela, Trump said Saturday on Fox News, adding, “We’ll be involved in it very much.”

The legal authority for the attack was not clear. [there is none]

#law
https://apnews.com/live/trump-us-venezuela-updates-01-03-2026?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2026-01-03-Breaking+News

Venezuela live updates: Nicolás Maduro arrives in New York after capture by US forces

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been captured by the United States. President Donald Trump insisted the U.S. government would run the country at least temporarily.

AP News

US AG #PamBondi said #Maduro & his wife would face charges after an indictment in New York. Bondi vowed in a social media post that the couple would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

#Trump announced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30AM ET & said he would host a news conference at 11AM ET.

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

#Trump brushed off criticism from US Democratic lawmakers that he did not seek permission from #Congress ahead of time & that the strike was #illegal. He called his Democratic critics “weak, stupid people” & blamed his political opponents for inflation in the US.

He said the operation in #Venezuela was “really genius.”

“All they do is complain,” he said of the #Democrats.

#law #WarPowers #criminal #abduction #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

“They should say, ‘Great job.’ They shouldn’t say, ‘Oh Gee, maybe it’s not constitutional.’ You know, the same old stuff that we’ve been hearing for years & years & years,” #Trump said who very likely has never read the #US #Constitution.

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

#Trump told FauxNews that #Maduro & his wife were aboard the US warship Iwo Jima & headed to NY, where they will face prosecution.

🚨Trump said in an interview Saturday morning that the #US will be making decisions on what is next for #Venezuela.🚨

“We can’t take a chance in letting somebody else run and just take over what he left, or left off.”

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #abduction #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández told The Associated Press that Nicolás #Maduro & his wife were at their home within the Ft. Tiuna military installation when they were captured.

“That’s where they bombed,” he said. “And, there, they carried out what we could call a kidnapping of the president & the first lady of the country.”

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

#EU foreign policy chief #KajaKallas wrote on X that she had spoken with #US Secy of State #MarcoRubio & the EU ambassador in Caracas. “The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr #Maduro lacks legitimacy & has defended a peaceful transition. Under all circumstances, the principles of #InternationalLaw & the #UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.”

Meaningless ⤴︎

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings

#Spain PM #PedroSánchez called for “de-escalation & responsibility. #InternationalLaw & the principles of the #UnitedNations Charter must be respected,” Sánchez wrote on X.

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy

#Russia Foreign Ministry said it is “extremely alarmed” & called for “immediate clarification,” acc/to a statement posted Saturday on the ministry’s Telegram channel. The ministry said such actions, if confirmed, would constitute “an unacceptable infringement on the #sovereignty of an #independent #state.”

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

#Britain PM #KeirStarmer said the #UK was not involved in the #US operation in #Venezuela and that he would seek more information from #Trump. Without condemning the US action, #Starmer said he always believes that #InternationalLaw should be upheld. “But I think at this stage, fast moving situation, let’s establish the facts & take it from there,” he said.

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #abduction #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy

#China strongly condemned the #US strike in #Venezuela & the action against its president, the Foreign Ministry said, adding the Beijing govt was “deeply shocked” & firmly opposed to the operation.

“Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate #InternationalLaw & Venezuela’s #sovereignty & threaten #peace & #security in #LatinAmerica & the #Caribbean region,” it said.

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy

#China called on the #US to comply with #InternationalLaw & the principles of the #UN Charter, urging it to stop violating the #sovereignty & #security of other nations.

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

The #UnitedNations said it was “deeply alarmed” by the #US strikes in #Venezuela & the reported detention of President Nicolás #Maduro. It expressed concern the escalation was a violation of #InternationalLaw.

“These developments constitute a
dangerous precedent,” Stéphane Dujarric, spox for the #UN sec-gen, said. Dujarric said the UN worried about the implications for #LatinAmerica & the #Caribbean & called on “all actors in Venezuela” to respect #HumanRights & the rule of #law.

#US #DOJ released a new #indictment of #Maduro & wife

Maduro & other #Venezuela ofcls were indicted in 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges. The DOJ released a new indictment Saturday of Maduro & his wife for alleged role in #narcoterrorism #conspiracy.

#PamBondi said Maduro & his wife, Cilia Flores, would “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

#law #Congress #WarPowers #Trump #abduction #oil #LandGrab #InternationalLaw

The #MaduroIndictment [for which the #US has no authority]

The #indictment accuses #Maduro of leading a “a corrupt, illegitimate government that, for decades, has leveraged government power to protect & promote illegal activity, including drug trafficking.” #DOJ alleges that the drug trafficking efforts “enriched & entrenched Venezuela’s political & military elite.”

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

#US #DOJ alleges that #Maduro partnered with “some of the most violent & prolific drug traffickers & narco-terrorists in the world” to bring “tons” of cocaine into the US, acc/to the #indictment.

The DOJ estimates that as much as 250 tons of cocaine were trafficked through #Venezuela by 2020 [start date?], acc/to the indictment.

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #MaduroIndictment #oil #LandGrab #InternationalLaw

Here is the unsealed 25 page #MaduroIndictment

https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1422326/dl

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

So, what leader has the courage to abduct Trump & Melania?

Trump about to speak

https://www.c-span.org/event/white-house-event/pres-trump-holds-news-conference-on-us-airstrikes-against-venezuela/439208

#law #Congress #WarPowers #criminal #Trump #abduction #MaduroIndictment #Venezuela #oil #LandGrab #WarCrimes #ExtrajudicialKillings #theft #piracy #InternationalLaw

The #Venezuela mission to the #UN has requested an emergency #Security Council [#UNSC] meeting & has asked the Council to condemn the #US military strikes against the country.

Venezuela’s ambassador, Samuel Reinaldo Moncada Acosta, said in a letter to the UNSC president: “The United States of America always uses lies to fabricate wars. It is an international #tyranny imposed with the #propaganda of death: the recent past confirms this.”

#law #Trump #abduction #oil #LandGrab #InternationalLaw

#MaríaCorinaMachado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, posted a statement calling for national unity following the capture of Nicolás #Maduro.

“Given his refusal to accept a negotiated exit, the government of the United States has fulfilled its promise to enforce the law,” she wrote. “We have struggled for years, we have given it our all, & it has been worth it. What had to happen is happening.”

Her support is unsurprising.

#law #Trump #abduction #Venezuela #oil #InternationalLaw

Marc "ACAB" Godin Jan 3

@Nonilex somebody stop him! (jk)

Bruce Mirken Jan 3

@Nonilex Who would be insane enough to want them? 🤣

Karin Sorenby Jan 3

@Nonilex yes please and thank you🙏can please anyone come forward …

Just Tired Jan 3

@Nonilex
We need to start a GoFundMe for whoever takes up the challenge

Spiritual Annie ☮️Jan 3

I dunno who's fearless enough, but I'm sure we could start a GoFundMe and get them paid really, REALLY well.

Doug 🌈🇨🇦

@Nonilex Canada. The US never formally surrendered to end the war of 1812 so technically Canada can take Trump to barter for and end to the war.

Γιανίρης Jan 4

It doesn't take a leader to commit illegal immoral acts, it takes a mechanism of obedient servants willing to commit those acts. Critical ability is grounds for being expelled from any military.

FinchHaven sfba Jan 3

1. For over 25 years, leaders of Venezuela have abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions to import tons of cocaine into the United States.

Evidence?

Understanding Hearsay:

Hearsay is defined as an out-of-court statement offered in court to prove the truth of the matter asserted. The statement must have been made outside the current courtroom proceeding, not by a witness testifying under oath. Additionally, the party offering the statement must intend for it to be believed as true by the judge or jury.

I won't even waste my time on the rest of it

(((Cindy Weinstein)))Jan 3

Now unseal Jack Smith's classified documents report.

@CindyWeinstein @Nonilex It will seque together neatly with the unredacted Mueller Report.

Gerd_Brodowski Jan 3

Venezuela is not considered a drug-producing country, but rather a transit country, especially for the EU market. In addition, the US has an enormous opioid problem; legal drugs that have been and continue to be prescribed by US doctors to their patients and have led to a crisis of epidemic proportions…

f*cking b*tch club Jan 3

@Nonilex I have a really bad feeling about this “indictment”—-weren’t the cult members calling for public executions?

My god.

Tito Swineflu Jan 3

@Nonilex Every accusation is a confession with these idiots.

PG19582🇺🇸🇹🇩🇺🇦🇵🇸Jan 3

@Nonilex sounds like the trump regime...

@Nonilex that’s what I was wondering - on what legal grounds does the US think it’s allowed to do this?

Michelle Hughes Jan 5

I don't understand why a judge in New York is agreeing to hear this.

Thor A. Hopland Jan 3

@Nonilex ...but isn't it just a lie? What evidence do they have, like at all? How will they be able to tie Maduro with fentanyl smuggling?

Better yet, who is going to defend Maduro? Is this just a return of the old classic US kangaroo court?

@hopland @Nonilex
There is this institution where international crimes can be upheld, and crimes against humanity are prosecuted.

It's in a place called The Hague, called the International Criminal Court. The same one that the US government does NOT recognize. Hell, they even have detailed war plans ready in case one of their own is prosecuted there, to break them out *by military force*. Hence, they use their own courts, with expected outcome.

@hopland @Nonilex

This is show of force, a signal outwards to all of those opposing the new regime.

"Fall in line, or be next".

Pure international intimidation, and the plundering shall now commence.

@Aprazeth @hopland @Nonilex I predict that within a couple of years we will pay out more to feed Venezuelans tham we will profit from oil.

@Nazani @hopland @Nonilex

So your concern is whether or not you might need to feed Venezuelans, at the cost of oil profits?

@Aprazeth @hopland @Nonilex Reading comprehension is not your strong suit, is it?
https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/for-many-families-every-meal-is-a-struggle-in-venezuelas-economic-crisis/

For many families, every meal is a struggle in Venezuela's economic crisis | The Associated Press

Alnilys Chirino’s tiny fridge and pantry are almost empty — a handful of peppers and wilting herbs, a kilo of rice, half that of beans, a bit of canned

The Associated Press

Thor A. Hopland Jan 3

@Aprazeth no, I think she rightfully speculates that #US citizens will have to subsidize Venezuelans as US oil companies get away with the bag - i.e more negative tax for rich Americans.

It's probably gonna be called something like "Flags for Venuzuelans" and be just enouogh meager dough to prevent a new revolution.

Richard Michael Blaber Jan 3

@Nonilex Nicolas #Maduro is still the Head of State of #Venezuela. By what conceivable right do the US authorities claim to have #jurisdiction to try him for any alleged #crime or #crimes? The imperialist arrogance of the #Trump regime knows no bounds - but other US Presidents have made similar unjustified, & unjustifiable, claims to extraterritorial jurisdiction.

@Nonilex this is all not good. #taiwan

WorldTravelerAll7 Jan 4

@Nonilex China says this and then would rationalize a military takeover of Taiwan by saying Taiwan "already is part of China." These criminals always have excuses for their criminal behavior. 47 and Xi Jinping are just the same. PS Xi Jinping would very much like to take over Venezuela, too, that's why he's so upset.

David Mayhood Jan 3

@Nonilex More breathtaking hypocrisy.

kat donegan 🇵🇸✊Jan 3

@Nonilex wet squelch starmer, per usual.

Richard Michael Blaber Jan 3

@Nonilex #Starmer is utterly PATHETIC! He is an absolute disgrace, & doesn't have the guts to stand up to #Trump.

David Mayhood Jan 3

@Nonilex Yet another blithering idiot honks.

Duckbilled Plattypus.Jan 3

@Nonilex lol. Putin is worried about the sovereignty of an independent state? Get the F out of Ukraine and command your puppet to get the F out of Venezuela. Unless this is actually your deal, Ukraine for Venezuela.

Gurre Vildskägg Jan 3

@pattykimura @Nonilex
All true.
But also: the USA doing this legitimises Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Fascist pedophile says what?

Bandit 🏴‍☠️Jan 3

Oh, so now we are capturing world leaders now?

I refuse to be called a “we” you should too. This is Trump & his criminal admin.

Bandit 🏴‍☠️Jan 3

IMO, we are all complicit. Have we held a General Strike forcing the governments hand? Have we protested in great numbers non-stop in Washington DC demanding Trump be removed? Nope. Pretty much we are all sitting on social media complaining or starting the 10,000th Substack when our opinions are more than 500 words.
#WhyAreWeHere
#Trumpism
#couchpotatoactivism

Cedar Fen Farm Cedar Fen Farm Jan 3

@bandit @Nonilex

Speak for yourself. Many are working hard against this gov purchased by oil money.

Bandit 🏴‍☠️Jan 3

@oldoldcojote @Nonilex

We are not working hard enough. That is all I am saying here.