A 25-page United States federal indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro outlines allegations of narco-terrorism, large-scale cocaine trafficking, and weapons offences, while also referencing the Caribbean as a key transit corridor in the alleged drug-smuggling network. The developments come amid heightened regional tension following reports of a major U.S. operation in Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday, January 3.
According to reports circulating internationally, President Maduro and his wife were reportedly captured during a coordinated operation involving multiple U.S. agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and U.S. Navy SEALs. As of press time, there has been no official confirmation from either the Venezuelan government or U.S. authorities regarding the status or whereabouts of the Venezuelan president and his spouse.
The reports follow U.S. military strikes on several locations in Caracas, which Venezuelan officials say caused damage in areas populated by both civilians and military personnel. Venezuelan representatives have condemned the actions as an act of aggression and a violation of international law.
The indictment alleges that Maduro and senior Venezuelan officials conspired with members of Colombia’s Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to traffic cocaine into the United States and other international markets.
Prosecutors claim the operation relied on maritime routes through the Caribbean, exploiting the region’s strategic location for transshipment.
While no Caribbean government officials are named in the indictment, the document repeatedly references Caribbean waters and routes as part of the alleged trafficking network. Analysts note that such claims place renewed scrutiny on Caribbean states that have long been caught along major narcotics corridors.
The Venezuelan government has rejected the indictment and related actions, describing them as politically motivated and aimed at destabilising the country’s leadership. President Maduro has previously dismissed similar charges as fabrications and accused Washington of using legal and military pressure as instruments of foreign policy.
U.S. officials maintain that the indictment is part of a broader effort to dismantle international drug-trafficking networks. However, the unfolding situation has sparked concern across the region, with questions mounting over legality, sovereignty, and the potential implications for Caribbean security and diplomacy.
The indictment remains an allegation, not a conviction, and all accused parties are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
