Rodriguez says ‘no foreign agent’ running Venezuela, US role still unclear

Al Jazeera reports that Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez said 'no foreign agent' is running Venezuela after US military forces seized President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a predawn operation. Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty in a New York court to drug-trafficking conspiracy charges. Venezuela's prosecutor general called for their immediate release and described the operation as an illegal act of armed aggression. The attack left dozens dead; Venezuela released a list of 24 soldiers killed and Cuba announced 32 military deaths. Rodriguez declared seven days of mourning. US officials, including President Donald Trump, praised the operation; Trump said the US would 'run' Venezuela, a comment later walked back by Secretary of State Marco Rubio who said the US would guide the country's direction using sanctions and embargoes to force access to the oil industry. US defense officials briefed Congress but provided limited justification for conducting the strike without prior congressional approval, raising domestic political concerns. In Caracas, state-organised pro-government rallies occurred amid tense conditions, heavy security presence and reports of government-aligned paramilitaries working with military forces to suppress dissent. The operation has increased regional unease: Trump floated the possibility of attacking Colombia and again discussed taking control of Greenland, prompting formal responses from Colombia, Denmark and other European countries. International leaders condemned remarks about Greenland, and diplomatic complaints were lodged. The situation is ongoing with broad international condemnation and uncertain US plans for Venezuela's political future.