U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz has been a fierce critic of multilateralism when it “protects dictators,” according to the Argentine News Agency. The Russian ambassador called the capture of Maduro an “international kidnapping” and a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter. China maintains significant interests in Venezuela's oil infrastructure, which has been partially affected by the bombings. The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, ordered the forces to be stationed on the border and requested a unanimous condemnation from the Organization of American States (OAS), although internal divisions in the bloc make a joint resolution difficult. Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, has not appeared in the media after the initial bombings of Fuerte Tiuna. However, the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, maintains the narrative of “popular resistance” through alternative communication networks. Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores would be under U.S. custody in an undisclosed location (possibly the Guantanamo base or a ship in international waters). The La Carlota Airport and the main port of La Guaira have suffered 70% structural damage, becoming inoperable. Venezuela has officially declared a “state of external commotion,” granting extraordinary powers to the remaining military commands for public order control. Moscow warned that this precedent destroys the foundations of international law. Beijing issued an official statement urging the “immediate cessation of hostilities” and warning that regional energy stability is at critical risk. The United States (representatives at the UN) will present the U.S. position and is expected to present intelligence evidence of drug trafficking activities to justify “collective legitimate defense.” Due to the severity of the attacks, an emergency session was convened in New York for today at noon. The request was jointly made by the representations of Russia, China, and Colombia. The status of Mike Waltz, U.S. Ambassador, is unknown: whether he was detained or is coordinating resistance from hidden positions.
