Commentary by RUssian military journalist Boris Rohin:
[ColonelCassad] 1. Trump claimed that the US was able to capture Maduro and his wife and take them out of Venezuela. Vice President Rodriguez essentially confirmed this. 2. The operation was carried out by Delta Force special forces. Details were promised later in the evening.
3. Despite the rumors, Venezuelan Defense Minister Padrino Lopez is alive and organizing resistance.
4. The country is now effectively led by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.
5. The Venezuelan army has taken control of major cities. Arrests are underway.
6. The US will attempt to organize mass rallies in Venezuela in the coming days to overthrow the Chavistas.
7. New strikes on Venezuelan military facilities are likely, as well as attempts to assassinate Padrino Lopez. Regarding the plan to kidnap Maduro, it is frankly not new.
In 2020, Operation Gideon was carried out, using Silvercorp mercenaries and Colombian mercenaries. Their plan, backed by CIA agents and Venezuelan fifth columnists, was to infiltrate Caracas, kidnap Maduro, and spirit him out of the country. The operation cost $227 million, which was to be paid out of Venezuelan funds after the seizure of power.
The plan failed (most of the mercenaries were captured, including two Americans). And now, five years later... What's happening is a blow to the Global South. A blow to China's interests. A blow to Russia's interests. And a blow to Cuba. It's worth noting that just yesterday, Maduro was still holding talks with Xi Jinping's representative.