In a dramatic and unprecedented operation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was taken into custody by agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) inside their headquarters in lower Manhattan, New York. The event, captured in images shared on social media, has sent shockwaves across the global diplomatic community.
International Condemnation and a Dangerous Precedent
The audacious capture of a sitting head of state has prompted a fierce international reaction. Six countries have jointly warned that Donald Trump's attack on Venezuela sets an "extremely dangerous precedent" for international relations. While US Republican figures have since distanced themselves from Trump's initial claim that America would "run" Venezuela, the move has rattled allies and adversaries alike.
Analysts suggest the operation, officially framed around anti-narcotics efforts, may have broader geopolitical motives, including ambitions regarding Venezuela's vast oil reserves. The action has also stoked renewed anxieties among some US allies, with reported fears resurfacing about a potential American takeover of territories like Greenland. The European response appears divided and uncertain in the face of this escalation.
Leadership Vacuum and Defiance from Caracas
In the wake of Maduro's seizure, attention has turned to who will lead Venezuela. Delcy Rodríguez, the country's vice-president, has stepped into the role of interim leader. In her first address, she struck a defiant tone, lambasting the United States and pledging unwavering loyalty to the captured president. However, observers note that the Trump administration has calculated that Rodríguez may ultimately be compelled to negotiate with Washington.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the situation, stating his support for a "peaceful, democratic transition" in Venezuela but simultaneously emphasising that international law must be respected, a nod to the controversial nature of the US operation.
Other Global Headlines
The extraordinary events in New York unfolded against a backdrop of other significant international news. In Switzerland, forensic teams have confirmed that two girls, aged 14 and 15, were among the 40 victims of the devastating New Year's Eve bar fire in Crans-Montana. Hundreds of mourners joined a silent procession in the grieving town.
In Berlin, left-wing militants protesting climate inaction and artificial intelligence claimed responsibility for an arson attack that cut power to tens of thousands of households. Meanwhile, a leading UK government AI researcher warned that the world "may not have time" to adequately prepare for the safety risks posed by advanced AI systems.
News from Australia
In Australia, the nation's beaches have seen a tragic start to the year, with emergency services suspending separate searches for a missing teenage boy and a male swimmer off the Sydney coast. In sport, the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground began with a powerful tribute, as the crowd gave a standing ovation to Bondi attack hero Ahmed al-Ahmed. On the field, England's batsmen, including Joe Root and Harry Brook, made a strong start on day one.
Domestically, over 60 Australian sports stars have called for a federal royal commission into antisemitism, radicalisation, and the Bondi terror attack. In Queensland, investigations are underway into an underground collapse at the Curragh coalmine which resulted in one worker's death.
