‘Good night, Happy New Year’: Nicolás Maduro Seen Greeting Media During Custody Transfer

Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was seen wishing reporters and US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents “Good night” and “Happy New Year” as he was led into custody, according to a video released by US authorities.

The footage shows Maduro in handcuffs during what officials described as a perp walk, as he was escorted by security personnel following his removal from power. The video quickly circulated on social media, drawing widespread attention due to Maduro’s calm demeanour and brief remarks to the media present.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the powers and duties of acting president, citing Maduro’s inability to carry out his responsibilities, CNN reported.

The court’s decision was announced late Saturday (local time). In its order, the court said Maduro was in a “material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions.”

Reading the ruling during a session broadcast on state-run television channel VTV, Justice Tania D’Amelio said Rodríguez would “assume and exercise, as acting president, all the powers, duties and faculties inherent to the office of president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the nation,” according to CNN.

Venezuela’s constitution provides that in the event of a temporary or permanent absence of the president, the vice president shall assume presidential duties.

Further details regarding the circumstances of Maduro’s detention and the international response are awaited.

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