Global fallout grows following Nicolas Maduro’s capture
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - After the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, other potential targets for U.S. intervention are raising the alarm.
Venezuela is now reeling with uncertainty after the U.S. left much of Maduro's regime in place while President Donald Trump insist the U.S. is in charge.
Trump Administration officials will brief all members of congress on the operation Wednesday as congressional Democrats call for a check on the president's power.
In a new sign of the importance of Venezuelan oil, President Trump announcing Venezuela's interim authorities will turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of oil to the U.S. to be sold at market price, and Trump would control the profits to benefit the people of both countries.
This comes as he praised the U.S. mission to capture Maduro.
"It was so complex. 152 airplanes. Many, many, talk about boots on the ground," Trump remarked.
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, is now facing federal charges in the U.S. as they accused of bringing tons of illegal drugs into this country.
Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Democrats are questioning the motivation for Maduro's removal.
"The president, you know, said this was about narco trafficking, and now he's saying it's about oil," said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA).
All members of congress are due for a briefing Wednesday on the operation, amid mounting questions about what's next, as Trump asserts the U.S. is in charge in Venezuela.
While the country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, a close Maduro ally, insists "no external agent" is governing the country, her government cracking down on dissent and detaining journalists.
Across the border in Colombia, where Trump has signaled he may focus next, heightened alert.
"This sets a precedent that is extremely worrying, it threatens regional peace and security," said a Colombian representative to the OAS.
At the same time, European allies are voicing deep concern amid new details from the White House that Trump and his team are "discussing a range of options" for acquiring Greenland, and that using the U.S. military is "always an option," calling it a national security priority.
Greenland is strategically-important, mineral-rich, and a semi-autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO ally.
Denmark's government has requested an urgent meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and has rejected Trump's claim that the country is unable to protect Greenland.
