The situation inside Venezuela remained highly uncertain in the hours following the strikes. It was not immediately clear who was exercising control of the government or military. Under Venezuela’s constitution, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would assume authority in the event of the president’s absence. Rodríguez said officials had not been informed of Maduro’s location and questioned U.S. claims regarding his capture.
“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodríguez said in a public statement. “We demand proof of life and a clear explanation of their status.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to comments relayed by a Republican senator, indicated that the United States did not anticipate further military action against Venezuela following the operation, suggesting the strikes were intended to be limited in scope.
The developments mark a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations after months of increased diplomatic and economic pressure from Washington, raising questions about regional stability and the international response in the days ahead.