Venezuela hunts alleged collaborators after Maduro's arrest by US forces

Venezuelan police launched a nationwide search for alleged collaborators following Nicolás Maduro's arrest by US special forces. A state of emergency decree issued Saturday and made public Monday orders all police units—federal, state, and municipal—to track down individuals who supported the US operation.

US media reports suggest Maduro's inner circle may have provided critical intelligence. One close associate allegedly continuously passed information about the leader's whereabouts, potentially enabling the American military operation. The reports claim US forces received assistance on the ground during the mission.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's National Union of Press Workers (SNTP) initially reported 14 journalists detained in the interim period but later confirmed all have been released. The arrests occurred during the chaotic period following Maduro's capture.

The crisis raises immediate questions about regional stability and whether Nigeria should adopt a stronger diplomatic stance on Venezuela. Given Nigeria's own security challenges, should the Tinubu government speak more forcefully on foreign interventions in sovereign nations, or focus strictly on domestic priorities?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/06/venezuela-hunts-possible-collaborators-involved-in-maduros-arrest/