WASHINGTON / CARACAS — The United States is finalizing a huge operation involving Venezuela, claiming Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been arrested and is being charged with a crime involving a drug-related issue.
U.S. representatives claim that the action has been years in the making, resulting from the investigation of a number of Venezuelan high-ranking officials colluding with drug-related crimes internationally. The U.S. described the operation to the media as one carefully designed to restore order internationally.
Venezuela / U.S. Operations
U.S. representatives stated that Maduro, as well as his wife, has been apprehended and is no longer within Venezuela’s borders. They claim he will face a U.S. court concerning drug-related crimes and racketeering and organized criminal activities.
The U.S. presidency has described the activity as part of the effort to curb access to illegal substances and also to maintain order within the borders of the stated region.
Response from Venezuelan Authorities
The United States made an announcement, which Venezuelan officials rejected as politically motivated and inaccurate. They are assessing the situation and have accused Washington of interfering with the internal processes of the country. Venezuelan officials have urged people to avoid panic as the respective authorities work to process the situation.
Situation in the Capital
Reports have come from Caracas confirming disturbances in the daily routines of people with the only possible explanation being that there are temporary problems with system communications and movement restrictions in some zones. People are in a situation of uncertainty and the officials are trying to build a situation of stability. The public services and essential services have been increased in their monitoring.
International Attention
The announcement has attracted worldwide interest and a number of countries are waiting to see how the situation develops. An Iranian observer has emphasized the need for the situation to be stable, as well as for dialogue to continue as it has so far, in order for the international law to be followed