Venezuela to arrest supporters of US operation against Maduro

Following the declaration of an “external commotion” regime, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, issued a decree ordering the immediate search and detention of all citizens who supported or welcomed the US detention of President Nicolás Maduro. 

The decree targets individuals who expressed support for the US intervention through social media, public actions, or logistical assistance, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

All national, regional, and municipal police forces have been instructed to carry out raids across the country.

The decree also grants the president “other social, economic, or political measures” to “restore normalcy as quickly as possible,” giving broad authority to restrict the rights of citizens supporting US actions.

The document was originally signed by Maduro several weeks ago as a contingency plan for foreign intervention, and has already been approved by Venezuela’s Supreme Court. Opposition groups condemn the measures as a “criminalisation of dissent.”

On January 3, the United States carried out a military operation in Caracas, Venezuela, involving air strikes and a special forces assault that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were reportedly flown to New York to face criminal charges.

US officials described the operation as part of a law enforcement and counter‑drug effort, though its legality under international law remains highly contested.

Following Maduro’s detention, Venezuela’s Supreme Court named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. Rodríguez condemned the US operation as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty but expressed willingness to maintain dialogue and cooperation with Washington.

By Jeyhun Aghazada