Who’s in Charge of Venezuela?

NewsNation National Correspondent Robert Sherman has found himself on the frontlines of some of the world's biggest stories: from Ukraine to Israel and across the U.S. He shares what he's seeing on the ground.

Who's in Charge of Venezuela?

Good evening from Puerto Rico.

I'll admit — I didn't expect to be here today. I was planning to be on assignment in Paris reporting on the Coalition of the Willing meeting set to take place tomorrow to discuss Ukraine's future. It's a potentially make-or-break meeting, and that seemed like the most important international headline at the time.

Not so much anymore.

Saturday morning's operation that led to Nicolas Maduro, then the man in charge of Venezuela, being placed into U.S. custody sent shockwaves across the globe.

Over 150 aircraft deployed from multiple hemispheres. Boots on the ground in Caracas. Punishing strikes that knocked out Venezuela's air defense system that just days earlier been proudly displayed in propaganda footage.

In the end, the world was caught off guard — and now, we live in a completely different one.

The legal proceedings for Maduro will be fascinating to watch, and you know there are powerful eyes in Tehran, Moscow, and Havana watching this play out intently.

The United States' actions have received praise from some allies like Argentina and Israel. They have also caused concern in the international community that instability will be created in Venezuela that will spill around the region. Historically, power vacuums are often created in situations like these that can lead to "smash and grabs" for authority.

Delcy Rodriguez, the vice president of Venezuela, was just sworn in today as the acting president. She released a statement this weekend saying, "We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law to strengthen lasting community coexistence. President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war."

Her statement comes after President Trump, in an interview with The Atlantic, said, "If she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."

The U.S. accuses Venezuela's government of being deeply associated with drug trafficking and assisting in harboring international terrorist organizations. The White House wants all of this to stop. So, they will be watching what Rodriguez does in the coming days — but have made clear they are ready to reapply physical pressure like we saw this weekend or economic pressure in the form of seizing more tankers.

The president told our own Libbey Dean "we're in charge [of Venezuela]," though further explained the U.S. does not have boots on the ground.

Here's what he means by that: The U.S. has an unprecedented force amassed in the Caribbean estimated in December to total 15,000. That includes the Ford Carrier Strike Group, with the USS Ford being the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world.

After the Maduro operation this weekend, the White House believes the bargaining power, position of strength, and (using the president's term) "cards" are all overwhelmingly with them, even without physically occupying Venezuela. That's what he means when he says the U.S. is "running" Venezuela. It could be translated to "do what we say, or face the consequences."

There's one important thing to note: in countries unexpectedly disabled in such a manner as Venezuela, the power does not truly lie with the politicians. It lies with the military.

One name I want you to keep track of: Vladimir Padrino Lopez. He is Venezuela's defense minister and has been by Maduro's side for over a decade. He is the backbone of the Venezuelan military.

His comments Saturday indicate he's not-so-ready to just roll over.

"We who once extended our hands in friendship will today close it to make a fist in defence of what is ours," he said in a recorded video statement. "Let's unite, because in the union of the people, we will find the strength to resist and triumph."

Does the military follow the defense minister? Does it follow Rodriguez? Does it crumble all in the face of the U.S. military force gathered just off its shore?

The coming days should tell us more.

AN UPDATE ON LESSONS FROM THE FRONT

Wow.

You all blew away my expectations with your enthusiasm and demand for my book, "Lessons from the Front: A Rookie War Correspondent in Ukraine and Israel." It became an Amazon Best Seller, and the demand has far exceeded all of our models.

Amazon just restocked, and you can order from them. I'll have a few book events to announce in the coming weeks. Feb. 10 will be the release of the audiobook, and Feb. 19 will be the publication date in the U.K. We're planning to have a few events in Britain for that launch. To my friends overseas, keep an eye out for those!

Thank you for all of your support. More to come from across the globe soon.