Venezuela's Maduro held in U.S. custody as loyalists vow defiance

Nicolás Maduro was taken into U.S. custody in a U.S. operation and is being held in New York on drug charges; Venezuelan Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez and loyalists have vowed defiance and Rodríguez was named interim president by Venezuela's high court. Maduro is due to appear in a Manhattan court on Monday.

U.S. authorities carried out an operation that led to Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, being taken into U.S. custody and transported to New York. U.S. officials say he faces drug-related charges. Venezuelan Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez and other loyalists have publicly rejected the action and Rodríguez was named interim president by Venezuela's high court. Known developments: - The United States says Maduro was captured in an operation and is being held in a New York detention centre awaiting drug charges. - Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez demanded Maduro's release, was named interim president by Venezuela's high court, and loyalists have vowed defiance. Rodríguez reported some casualties during the events. - Maduro is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan court on Monday, and the U.N. Security Council has been asked to meet to discuss U.S. operations in Venezuela. Summary: The arrest is seen as a significant U.S. intervention in Venezuelan affairs and has prompted domestic declarations of defiance and international concern. Analysts and some lawmakers have raised legal questions about the operation's lawfulness. Immediate developments described in reports are Maduro's court appearance in Manhattan and the planned U.N. Security Council meeting.