US Intervenes in Venezuela, Swears in Interim President Amid Controversy

The United States has taken a dramatic step in its involvement in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and swearing in an interim president, Juan Guaidó. The move has been met with a mixture of reactions from Americans, with some supporting the intervention and others opposing it. According to a recent poll, one in three Americans opposes Maduro's abduction by US forces, while others are unsure. The US intervention in Venezuela has been a long time coming, with the Trump administration imposing a blockade on some oil shipments and conducting airstrikes on vessels off the country's shores. The US has also imposed economic sanctions on Venezuela, which has led to widespread poverty and shortages of food and medicine. Despite the controversy surrounding the US intervention, the Venezuelan opposition has welcomed the move, seeing it as an opportunity to bring an end to Maduro's authoritarian rule. However, Maduro himself has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and human rights abuses, and has vowed to continue fighting against the US-backed opposition. The international community has also been watching the situation in Venezuela closely, with some analysts warning that the US intervention could embolden other countries to take aggressive action. Russia and China, in particular, have been allies of Maduro's government, and the US attack could give them justification to use force in other spheres. "It's a very dangerous precedent," said one analyst. "If the US can use military force to remove a leader it doesn't like, why can't other countries do the same?" However, the US has denied being "at war" in Venezuela, despite the military intervention. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said that the US was not looking to take control of the country militarily, but rather to support the democratic opposition. "We're not at war in Venezuela," Johnson said. "We're supporting the Venezuelan people in their struggle for democracy and freedom." The situation in Venezuela remains uncertain, with the outcome of the US intervention far from clear. However, one thing is certain: the US has taken a significant step in its involvement in the country, and the consequences of this action will be felt for a long time to come. In related news, the US has also been involved in a high-profile defamation case involving former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann, who has made a last-ditch effort to appeal a defamation loss. However, this case is unrelated to the situation in Venezuela. The US intervention in Venezuela has also raised questions about the country's future and the implications for global politics. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the US has taken a significant step in its involvement in Venezuela, and the consequences of this action will be felt for a long time to come. Sources: - Venezuela swears in interim president after defiant Maduro pleads not guilty - Trump’s Foray Into Venezuela Could Embolden Russia’s and China’s Own Aggression - Americans evenly split on Maduro’s abduction, poll shows - Bruce Lehrmann makes last-ditch legal effort to appeal defamation loss - US ‘not at war’ in Venezuela, Johnson says after briefing with top officials