Trump Hails "Brilliant" Caracas Strikes; Maduro Pleads Not Guilty in US Court

• US President Donald Trump praised military strikes on Caracas as “amazing” and “brilliant,” leading to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro's capture.
• Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court to US narcotics and weapons charges, claiming he was “kidnapped” and remains Venezuela’s president.
• Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was swiftly sworn in as interim president in Caracas, signaling continuity.
• US officials indicated willingness to work with Rodríguez, sidelining the opposition for now based on an intelligence assessment.
• The Venezuela operation sparked wider geopolitical fallout, including European leaders pushing back on Trump's Greenland remarks.

Why It Matters: Trump lauded the US operation against Maduro, who pleaded not guilty, while Venezuela saw an interim leader and global ripples.