Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Jan 4: Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife arrived in the United States on Saturday after a dramatic US military operation in Caracas that reportedly led to their capture, according to American officials.

The duo was flown to New York and is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. US authorities said Maduro will face federal charges related to alleged drug trafficking and links with criminal gangs designated as terrorist organisations, allegations which he has denied.

Addressing a press conference, US President Donald Trump said the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily during a transition period. He added that the move would help stabilise the country and “get the oil flowing”.

Following the development, Venezuela’s Supreme Court directed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the powers and duties of acting president.

Officials told CBS News that the operation to capture Maduro was carried out by the US Army’s elite Delta Force unit. The action came after months of heightened US military presence in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and several other warships in the Caribbean.

The operation also followed a series of US strikes on more than 30 boats, which the administration claimed were being used to transport drugs.