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Venezuelans Are Protesting US Bombing and Maduro’s Kidnapping

4 22
06.01.2026

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U.S. forces attacked Venezuela and abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a Saturday night raid. About 80 people were reportedly killed, including 32 Cubans. Democracy Now! speaks with Andreína Chávez, a Venezuelan reporter based in Caracas, who calls the strikes an “imperialist attack.” Trump also said the U.S. would take the oil from Venezuela, which has the world’s largest proven reserves.

This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.

AMY GOODMAN: The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency meeting today after U.S. forces attacked Venezuela on Saturday and abducted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in what many described as a “kidnapping.” Delta Force troops seized Maduro and his wife from a military base in Caracas. The two have been flown to New York, where they’re appearing in a Manhattan federal court today to face drug and weapons charges. The U.S. attack reportedly killed about 80 people, including 32 Cubans, in Venezuela.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and other world leaders criticized the U.S. attack. Lula wrote on X, quote, “The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president [cross] an unacceptable line. These acts represent a grave affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community,” Lula said.

Major questions remain about what comes next in Venezuela. On Saturday, President Trump said the U.S. will “run” Venezuela.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: So, we are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.

AMY GOODMAN: Trump also said the U.S. will take the oil from Venezuela, which has the world’s largest reserves of crude oil.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: The oil companies are going to go in. They’re going to spend money. They’re going to — we’re going to take back the oil that, frankly, we should have taken back a long time ago.

AMY GOODMAN: On Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared to walk back Trump’s comments about U.S. plans to run Venezuela. But on Sunday night, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. is already in charge.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We’re dealing with the people. We’re dealing with the people that just got sworn in. And don’t ask me who’s in charge, because I’ll give you an answer, and it’ll be very controversial.

REPORTER: What does that mean?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: It means we’re in charge.

REPORTER: Have you spoken with her?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We’re in charge.

REPORTER: Have you spoken with her?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: No. No, I haven’t, but other people have.

REPORTER: Do you want to?

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Yeah, at the right time I will.

AMY GOODMAN: In Caracas, Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, is being sworn in today as Venezuela’s interim president. On Saturday, she denounced the abduction of Maduro, but on Sunday posted a message on........

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