‘Cuba in deep trouble’, why only Nicolas Maduro was captured and what next for Venezuela: Top Trump aide Marco Rubio answers key questions | World News
A pedestrian walks past a mural of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP/PTI
A day after the United States captured and flew out Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a stunning military operation with the stated aim of fighting “narco-terrorism”, many questions remain unanswered. US Secretary of State and top Trump aide Marco Rubio answered them on Sunday, including if Cuba was the next target, why only Maduro was captured and the rest of his adminration left in place, and what comes next for Venezuela.
The intervention Washington in the South American nation came after weeks of increasing military buildup in the area and rising political back and forth between Maduro and US President Donald Trump. It was the Republican leader who announced the operation on Saturday in a post on his Truth Social Platform.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote in the post.
