NEW YORK:--- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, made their first appearance in a U.S. federal court on Monday, following their dramatic capture by U.S. forces in Caracas over the weekend. The operation, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was authorized by President Donald Trump and has sparked international controversy.

Charges and Court Appearance

Maduro, 66, and Flores, 69, face multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. The couple appeared before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in the Southern District of New York. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Trump administration has labeled Maduro’s regime as “illegitimate,” citing rigged elections, including the disputed 2024 presidential election. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed leadership in Caracas, though her position remains contentious.

Detention and Security

The couple is being held in solitary confinement at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a facility notorious for housing high-profile inmates such as Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Security around the detention center has been heightened, with heavily armed law enforcement patrolling the area.

International Reactions

The operation has drawn sharp criticism from several countries, including Russia and China, which have condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law. The United Nations has also expressed concerns about the potential destabilization of the region.

Cuba, a long-time ally of Venezuela, mourned the loss of 32 Cuban citizens who were reportedly killed during the U.S. strikes in Caracas. Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the U.S. intervention, emphasizing the importance of respecting national sovereignty.

What’s Next?

Maduro’s legal team is expected to challenge the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state. The case is likely to be a prolonged legal battle with significant geopolitical implications.

As the world watches, the situation in Venezuela remains tense. Acting President Rodríguez has called for cooperation with the U.S. while condemning the military operation as a violation of international law. Venezuelans, both at home and abroad, are grappling with the uncertainty of their country’s future.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:---  In a sharp rebuke of escalating geopolitical tensions, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has issued a stark warning about the perilous position of small island nations caught in the crossfire of international power struggles. Addressing the unfolding crisis in Venezuela, Mottley did not mince words, describing the Caribbean as "uncharted territory" where small states are forced to navigate the "testicular fortitude" of larger powers.

The Prime Minister's comments come as Barbados grapples with immediate logistical disruptions to its airspace and ports, consequences she attributes directly to the friction between major global players. Her address highlighted a growing frustration among Caribbean nations that find their stability threatened by conflicts they did not start.

"Conflict Has Consequences"

For Barbados, the impact of the Venezuelan crisis is not theoretical; it is immediate and economic. Mottley confirmed that the island's tourism and logistics hubs—vital lifelines for the economy—have already faced disruptions.

"We are not naive," Mottley stated, addressing the nation. "We understand that where large powers contend... that may have negative impact and implications for small countries such as ours."

She emphasized that the disruptions at the Grant Adams International Airport and the Bridgetown port affect more than just travelers; they strike at the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. "Not only wealthy people visit our nation," she noted, underscoring the vulnerability of the local economy to external shocks.

A Rules-Based Order Under Siege

Central to Mottley’s critique is the erosion of the international rules-based order, a framework she argues is existential for small states. She expressed deep concern over the "blatant breach" of international norms, suggesting that the world is regressing to a more dangerous, unstable era.

"In 2018, when I first addressed the United Nations, I said then that this world looks too much like it did a hundred years ago," Mottley recalled. "Regrettably, I have come to rue the day that I made that comment."

The Prime Minister painted a picture of a region lurching from "crisis to crisis"—from pandemics and cost-of-living surges to climate disasters and now, geopolitical instability. She argued that the current global environment leaves little room for "mature conversation," urging a de-escalation of hostilities before the fallout becomes unmanageable.

Navigating the Storm

Despite the critical tone, Mottley's message was also one of resilience and pragmatic leadership. She described the government’s current strategy as "perfecting the art of walking in between the raindrops," a metaphor for the precise and cautious diplomacy required to protect national interests without alienating powerful allies like the United States or Venezuela.

While maintaining that both nations remain "friends" of Barbados, she firmly aligned the country's foreign policy with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), prioritizing regional unity over unilateral alignment.

"Small states can only survive in an international rules-based order," she reiterated. "Anything that happens that runs contrary to that would be of grave concern to us as a people."

As tensions continue to simmer in Caracas, Mottley's words serve as a potent reminder that in the "playground" of global politics, it is often the smallest nations that suffer the most immediate bruising.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico:---  A weekend of unprecedented military activity has sent shockwaves through the Caribbean’s vital tourism sector. Following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela aimed at the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 and 4, major travel hubs from Puerto Rico to the Dutch Caribbean face logistical gridlock, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and scrambling for answers.

While the primary target was the Venezuelan capital, the ripple effects were felt immediately across the region’s airspace. Safety protocols triggered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded hundreds of flights, forcing airlines and cruise operators into emergency response mode during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

The Dutch Caribbean: A Proximity Crisis

For the "ABC Islands"—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao—geographic proximity to the Venezuelan coast turned a distant political conflict into an immediate travel crisis. Aruba, situated just 15 miles from Venezuela, bore the brunt of the disruptions.

On Saturday, January 3, Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba saw 91 flight cancellations, wiping out more than half of its daily schedule. Southwest Airlines suspended all service to the island at the height of the operation.

"We are used to being a peaceful getaway," said a representative for the Aruban tourism board. "But when airspace closes this close to home, safety becomes the only priority."

Though no direct military threats were reported against the Dutch territories, international carriers exercised extreme caution. KLM and Air France cancelled transatlantic flights from Europe, while KLM issued specific warnings for travelers heading to the region. While flights began to resume late Sunday, the backlog of passengers remains significant.

Sint Maarten and Puerto Rico: Hubs at a Standstill

Further north, the impact was less about geography and more about safety regulations. In Sint Maarten, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina confirmed that while local airspace technically remained open, the reality on the ground was starkly different. Major U.S. carriers—including JetBlue, Delta, American, Spirit, and Frontier—halted operations to Princess Juliana International Airport to comply with FAA safety zones.

This left both residents and tourists stranded, with regional carriers like WINAIR and St. Barth Commuter forced to scale down operations.

However, the most severe bottleneck occurred in Puerto Rico. As the primary aviation hub for the Caribbean, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan saw over 400 flight cancellations. Estimates suggest between 50,000 and 75,000 passengers were left stranded, creating scenes of frustration and confusion at terminals.

Cruise Lines Scramble to Adjust

The chaos extended beyond the tarmac to the region's cruise ports. Ships that rely on San Juan and other islands as turnaround ports— where passengers fly in to begin their voyages—faced a logistical nightmare.

Vessels such as the Jewel of the Seas, Valiant Lady, and Grand Princess were unable to welcome incoming guests or offload departing ones due to the lack of flights. Cruise lines took drastic measures to manage the fallout:

• Windstar Cruises delayed departures from St. Maarten and Barbados to wait for delayed guests.

• P&O Cruises was forced to arrange emergency charter flights for nearly 5,000 guests stranded in Barbados.

Geopolitics and Economic Aftershocks

Beyond the immediate travel headaches, the operation has sparked broader geopolitical tension. Leaders in neighboring Brazil and Colombia condemned the military action, citing concerns over long-term stability in South America.

Economically, the region is bracing for shifts. Oil prices saw initial volatility, trading between $60 and $62 per barrel. The U.S. administration has signaled intentions to involve American oil companies in rebuilding Venezuela’s infrastructure, a move that could fundamentally alter economic flows in the hemisphere.

For Venezuela itself, the situation remains dire. The U.S. State Department maintains a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory. Thousands of international tourists currently inside the country face extreme difficulty departing, with local airspace closed and commercial flights suspended.

The Path to Recovery

As of Monday, January 5, a fragile recovery is underway. The FAA lifted primary airspace restrictions at midnight on Sunday, allowing airlines to begin repositioning aircraft and crews. Most carriers, including American, Delta, United, and JetBlue, have issued travel waivers and fee cancellations through January 10 to help passengers rebook.

For the Caribbean tourism industry, the priority is now clearing the backlog and reassuring the world that the islands remain open for business. While the skies are clearing, the events of this weekend serve as a stark reminder of how quickly geopolitical instability can ground the region's most important economic engine.

Dutch Members of Parliament are cutting their winter recess short to address the U.S. military action in Venezuela, a move that has sparked significant international and domestic backlash. The debate, initiated by ChristenUnie MP Don Ceder, is set for Thursday at 5 PM, ahead of the scheduled end of the recess on January 12.

THE HAGUE:--- The U.S. raid, which led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, has raised concerns about its implications for the Dutch Caribbean islands—Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire—located near Venezuela’s coast. While the caretaker Dutch government has refrained from directly condemning the U.S. action, Foreign Affairs Minister David van Weel has aligned with the European Union’s call for adherence to international law.

However, prominent Dutch political figures have been more vocal. Rob Jetten, leader of D66 and a likely candidate for the next prime minister, criticized the U.S. intervention as a violation of international law and warned of the dangerous precedent it sets. Similarly, GroenLinks–PvdA leader Jesse Klaver described the raid as a “dangerous precedent” with global ramifications.

Media and Public Reaction

Dutch media outlets and commentators have been notably critical. The Financiële Dagblad and BNR radio’s Bernard Hammelburg labeled the U.S. action as showing “contempt for international law.” Hammelburg argued that the Trump administration’s disregard for European criticism underscores a broader disdain for international norms.

The Volkskrant editorial board condemned the invasion as an “imperialist” act, asserting that it cannot be justified under international law. The paper warned that such unilateral military actions contribute to global instability. Similarly, the NRC described the raid as a clear message from Trump: “If you want something, take it—by force if necessary.”

Geopolitical Concerns

The raid has also drawn sharp reactions from global powers like Russia and China, both allies of Venezuela. Dutch commentators have expressed concern that the U.S. action could embolden other nations to pursue aggressive strategies, citing potential risks in regions such as Ukraine and Taiwan.

The NRC emphasized the need for a strong European response, urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to uphold international law. The editorial also highlighted the importance of supporting multilateral institutions like the United Nations in maintaining global order.

As the Dutch Parliament prepares for its debate, the incident underscores the growing challenges to international norms and the urgent need for a unified European stance.