Overview
- Maduro entered a not‑guilty plea to four counts including narco‑terrorism, cocaine import conspiracy, and possession of automatic weapons and destructive devices, and his wife Cilia Flores also pleaded not guilty.
- Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim leader as authorities ordered arrests of alleged collaborators, with reports of brief detentions of journalists and tightened security in Caracas.
- The U.N. Security Council discussed the U.S. operation, Russia and China condemned it, and U.N. Secretary‑General António Guterres expressed concern about instability and the action’s legality.
- Opposition leader María Corina Machado said she plans to return soon and claimed the opposition could win over 90% in a free election, while Reuters reported Washington appears to be considering cooperation with Rodríguez to preserve stability and President Trump warned he could order another strike if dissatisfied.
- Separately in Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister said the province will not permit military operations and urged an inclusive peace policy after a grand jirga approved a 15‑point agenda.