Andorra Seeks Repatriation of Lone National Amid US Capture of Maduro

Andorra's Foreign Affairs Ministry continues efforts to repatriate the country's sole known national in Venezuela, coordinating with the Spanish consulate in Caracas amid the fallout from a US military operation that detained President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The individual, not a habitual resident, remains safe and distant from Caracas, the primary focus of Friday's airstrikes on military targets. No civilian casualties or infrastructure damage have been confirmed, though official figures are pending. Data protection limits further disclosure.

The Saturday consular alert advises Andorran nationals in Venezuela to remain in secure zones, exercise maximum caution, and follow developments via official channels. An emergency line operates at +376 324 292.

The US action, directed by President Donald Trump, involved early Friday airstrikes followed by the capture and transfer of Maduro and Flores to New York, where they face charges of narcoterrorism, cocaine trafficking conspiracy, and weapons possession. Trump described the moves as essential to restoring Venezuelan freedom, warning of a larger follow-up strike if resistance arises. He indicated US oversight of the nation until a secure transition, with American firms managing the oil industry. Maduro's government condemned the incursion as military aggression. One report noted their arrival at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center under Navy SEAL involvement.

Andorra's Venezuelan community—around 67 formally registered, though estimates reach 80-100 including dual nationals—expresses mixed relief and uncertainty. Reynaldo Márquez, president of the Association of Venezuelan Residents and Supporters in Andorra, described a "bittersweet" sentiment among over 50 active members. Many view Maduro's removal as a welcome shift from Chavismo hardships but question the transitional path, US motives, and Trump's dismissal of opposition figure María Corina Machado. Márquez noted no direct impacts on relatives, with events limited to Caracas outskirts and other states unaffected. Early morning calls from family sparked worry amid communication blackouts and sparse Venezuelan information.

"No one is directly affected. Everyone is fine," Márquez said, adding that while the intervention was anticipated since December, its execution brought confusion. He highlighted concerns over Maduro-era structures persisting, sovereignty implications, and unclear timelines—contrasting Venezuela's 30-day constitutional election window with longer oil sector rebuilding. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been ordered by the Supreme Court of Justice to assume the presidency, per some accounts. The group urges family safety, avoids celebrations, and may convene soon. No practical effects on Andorrans have emerged.