Venezuelan authorities have launched a nationwide search for suspected collaborators following the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro by United States special forces, according to an emergency decree issued by the government.
The decree, which took effect on Saturday but was fully made public on Monday, declared a state of emergency and ordered all police units federal, state and municipal to identify and apprehend individuals believed to have aided the US-led operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture.
Under the directive, security agencies were instructed to investigate any form of cooperation with foreign forces, particularly actions deemed to have facilitated intelligence gathering, logistics or access during the operation.
The move follows reports by several US media outlets suggesting that American forces may have received assistance on the ground during the arrest.
According to the reports, at least one individual within Maduro’s inner circle is suspected of repeatedly sharing sensitive information about the president’s movements with US operatives.
While Venezuelan authorities have not publicly identified any suspects, officials said investigations were ongoing and warned that anyone found to have supported the operation would face prosecution under national security laws.
In a related development, Venezuela’s journalists’ union, the National Union of Press Workers, reported that 14 journalists were detained amid the heightened security response.
The organisation said the journalists were taken into custody during operations linked to the state of emergency.
However, the union later confirmed that all detained journalists had since been released, though it expressed concern over press freedom and called on authorities to respect the rights of media professionals as the situation continues to unfold.
Maduro’s arrest has plunged Venezuela into political uncertainty, prompting swift security measures and drawing strong international reactions.
The government has maintained that the operation violated the country’s sovereignty, while reiterating its resolve to identify and punish anyone accused of collaborating with foreign forces.
Authorities said further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
