The warning to Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez was issued by President Donald Trump just hours after US forces launched an operation in Caracas, arresting President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and bringing them back to the US. The White House said that Mr. Maduro will face charges related to "drug terrorism plots".
After Mr. Maduro was arrested, the Venezuelan Supreme Court handed over interim President power to Ms. Delcy Rodriguez - Vice President of Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Mr. Trump declared that the US will directly "operate" Venezuela after the coup campaign in this oil-rich South American country. Speaking at the Mar-a-Lago resort, Mr. Trump said Washington will control Venezuela until there is "a safe, appropriate and cautious transition process".
According to the US President, large US oil and gas corporations will be brought into Venezuela, investing billions of USD to restore oil infrastructure and exploit economic benefits. Mr. Trump also said that the US has prepared a plan to launch a second wave of attacks, larger, if necessary.
In Venezuela, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello called on the military to trust the leadership, while Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accused Washington of trying to control the country's natural resources.
In the US, Mr. Nicolas Maduro is expected to appear in court around noon today (January 5) Eastern time at the Federal Court in Manhattan, New York.
The case is assigned to Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein - who has presided over many major cases, including those related to 9/11 terrorism and the Harvey Weinstein trial.
Meanwhile, outside Mr. Maduro's detention center in New York, many people gathered to protest against US military intervention in Venezuela, waving banners "No bloodshed for oil" and chanting slogans "We will not pay the price for war".
In Caracas, thousands of people took to the streets, waving national flags and chanting slogans in support of Mr. Maduro. According to videos shared on social networks, protesters chanted: "Mr. Maduro, be resilient, the people are standing up".
Ms. Rosines Chavez - daughter of former President Hugo Chavez - spoke at a government-supporting march, calling for the release of Mr. Maduro and demanding that the international community respect Venezuela's sovereignty.
On the international stage, the European Union - with all member countries except Hungary - issued a joint statement calling on all parties to exercise restraint, avoid escalating tensions and promote a peaceful solution to the crisis. The statement did not specify support or opposition to the actions of the US.
Russia has criticized Washington's actions, calling them "aggression", and requested immediate clarification of the status and detention of Mr. Nicolas Maduro.
