State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela
The warning came amid reports of armed militias.
Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife appeared in a federal court in New York City on Monday, following their capture by U.S. forces over the weekend in a military operation in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.
Following the operation, President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified "period of time."
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as interim leader to lead the country after what the Venezuelan Supreme Court described as Maduro's "kidnapping."
Key Headlines
- President Trump says Cuba needs to make deal with US 'before it is too late'
- Venezuela 'in absolute calm,' ministry says in reaction to US alert
- State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela immediately
- US State Department officials arrive in Caracas
- US forces board another oil tanker linked to Venezuela
Schumer, Jeffries call for a Gang of 8 briefing
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for an immediate "Gang of Eight" briefing on actions in Venezuela, referring to the group of top congressional leaders briefed on national security issues.
They also called for a briefing next week for all members of Congress.
"President Trump’s announced plan to run Venezuela is unacceptable," they said in a joint statement. "It is critical that the Trump administration provide an immediate Gang of Eight briefing, followed by briefings for all Members of the House and Senate early next week."
-ABC News' Allison Pecorin
Top Democrat on Senate Armed Services Committee slams action in Venezuela
Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, sharply rebuked the administration's actions in Venezuela and President Trump's assertion that the United States would run the country in a statement this afternoon.
"Last night, President Trump waged war on a foreign nation without authorization, without notification, and without any explanation to the American people. Whatever comes next, President Trump will own the consequences," Reed said in a statement.
Reed called Trump's assertion that the United States would run Venezuela "ludicrous."
"No serious plan has been presented for how such an extraordinary undertaking would work or what it will cost the American people. History offers no shortage of warnings about the costs – human, strategic, and moral – of assuming we can govern another nation by force," he said.
-ABC News' Allison Pecorin
Mamdani condemns operation
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a statement about the operation and said he was briefed about it, as well as the plans to imprison Maduro in the city.
"Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law," he said in a statement.
“This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance," he added.
Trump responds to concerns about long US stay, saying 'it won't cost us anything'
Trump was asked about the possibility that the U.S. "ends up administering Venezuela for years."
"Well, you know, it won't cost us anything, because the money coming out of the ground is very substantial," the president said.
"We're going to get reimbursed for everything that we spend. So it's going to be, it's going to be a very important," he added.