Trump declares US 'in charge' of Venezuela, Maduro goes to court

NEW YORK, Jan 05 (Agencies): US President Donald Trump's claim that the United States is "in charge" of Venezuela will be underscored Monday when the oil-rich nation's deposed leader is hauled before a New York court, while his successor offers to cooperate.

Leftist strongman Nicolas Maduro, 63, faces narcotrafficking charges along with his wife, who was also seized and taken out of Caracas in the shock US assault Saturday, which involved commandos, bombing by jet planes, and a massive naval force off Venezuela's coast.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session on Monday at Venezuela's request. This will provide a platform for international concern over US intentions in the country of around 30 million people.

Trump is unlikely fazed, as his plan to dominate Venezuela and its vast oil reserves unfolds.

"We're in charge," Trump announced late Sunday.

In a potential win for Washington, Maduro's successor and interim leader Delcy Rodriguez dropped her initial fiery rhetoric, issuing a statement late Sunday offering to work with Trump.

"We extend an invitation to the US government to work together on an agenda for cooperation," the former vice president said.

This was hours after Trump threatened that she'd pay a "very big price, probably bigger than Maduro," if she didn't bend to US wishes.

When asked what he needs from Rodriguez, Trump said: "We need total access. We need access to the oil and other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country."

Meanwhile, Nicolas Maduro's congressman son called Sunday for Venezuelans to take to the streets following his father's ouster by US forces and transfer to a New York jail.

"You will see us in the streets, you will see us by people's sides, you will see us fly the flag of dignity," Nicolas Maduro Guerra, 35, said in a defiant audio message shared on social media. His aides confirmed the authenticity of the recording to AFP.

"They want us to appear weak but we will not show weakness," said Maduro Guerra, who is one of six people, along with his father and stepmother Cilia Flores, accused of "narcoterrorism" by US authorities.

Echoing those rumors, his son said: "History will tell who the traitors were, history will reveal it. We will see."

Maduro Guerra is the only biological son of the ousted president, who later adopted the three children of his second wife Flores.

He expressed confidence that "chavismo"-the anti-imperialist, socialist movement founded by Venezuela's charismatic late leader Hugo Chavez-would survive.

Cuba confirms deaths of 32 officers in Venezuela

Cuba has said that 32 of its military and police officers were killed during a US military operation in Venezuela over the weekend, marking the first official confirmation of the casualties by the Cuban government.

A statement read on Cuban state television on Sunday night said the officers were deployed in Venezuela as part of a mission requested by the Venezuelan government. However, it did not specify the nature of their assignment.

Venezuelans remain shell-shocked a day after US captured Maduro

Venezuelans on Sunday remained shell-shocked a day after President Nicolás Maduro was deposed and captured in a US military operation, with an uncertain future ahead in the South American nation.

A tense calm settled over the capital, Caracas, which was unusually quiet. Many stores, gas stations and churches remained closed and people patiently lined up outside others, staring at their phones or into the distance.

China says it cannot accept countries acting as 'world judge' after US captures Maduro

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing cannot accept any country acting as the "world's judge" after the United States captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.

"We have never believed that any country can act as the world's police, nor do we accept that any nation can claim to be the world's judge," Wang told his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar during a meeting in Beijing on Sunday, referring to "sudden developments in Venezuela" without directly mentioning the US.

"The sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law," China's top diplomat added, in his first remarks since images of the 63-year-old Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed on Saturday stunned Venezuelans.

Maduro is in a New York detention centre awaiting a Monday court appearance on drug charges.

Beijing has ambition to become a diplomatic heavyweight, a goal it articulated most clearly after brokering a surprise rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, pledging to "play a constructive role in global hotspot issues."