"There's been some reaction from American adversaries, but everyone's still in a watch and wait mode yet for how China and Russia is going to respond to this. Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is scheduled to appear in a U.S. courtroom on Monday for the first time since being brought to New York to face narco-terrorism charges. The brief hearing will formally begin what is expected to be a lengthy legal battle over whether he can be prosecuted in the United States."
"If I had a hat, I'd take it off to our former partner colleagues in the intelligence community and the special operations community. I mean, great operation. Well planned and executed. I'm sure that the intelligence had to be very good. Honestly, I'm proud because it's good to have a reminder that the U.S. can do this kind of thing."
U.S. intelligence and special operations executed a well-planned operation to detain Nicolás Maduro, demonstrating operational capability and high-quality intelligence. The operation has immediate legal consequences as Maduro will appear in a U.S. courtroom to begin a likely lengthy prosecution on narco-terrorism charges. U.S. officials indicate near-term involvement in administering Venezuela and plans to revive the oil industry. Observers are monitoring reactions from China and Russia and signals in the coming days. The operation raises international law questions and underscores U.S. interest in reasserting influence in the Western Hemisphere.
Read at The Cipher Brief
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