Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah stated early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has been captured, will face trial on criminal charges in the United States.
Lee revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed him that “the kinetic action witnessed tonight was deployed to protect and defend personnel executing the arrest warrant.” He added that Rubio “anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody.”
In a post on X, sighted by *Tribune Online*, Lee wrote:
“Just got off the phone with @SecRubio. He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.
“This action likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack. Thank you, @SecRubio, for keeping me apprised. He anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody.”
This development follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that U.S. forces captured Maduro and his wife after a “large-scale” military strike against Venezuela.
*Tribune Online* reports that Trump’s statement prompted Venezuela to declare a state of national emergency and denounce the move as “military aggression.”
Residents in Caracas reported explosions and fires across the city. One eyewitness told the BBC, “My heart was pumping and legs were shaking.”
The U.S. has long accused Maduro of leading an international drug trafficking organization—a charge he denies. A $50 million reward had previously been offered for information leading to his arrest, alongside a regional military buildup widely interpreted as an attempt to encourage opposition within Venezuela.
