Vice President JD Vance defended Trump's Venezuela operation after Rep. Jasmine Crockett questioned its legality and compared it to how Americans would react if roles were reversed.

NEW YORK, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Toppled Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty on Monday to narcotics charges after President Donald Trump's stunning capture of him rattled world leaders and left officials in Caracas scrambling to regroup.

After apparent months of planning, the U.S. strike that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro unfolded swiftly over the weekend, with American forces converging on Caracas to arrest Maduro and his wife.

Maduro's arrest and indictment echo a case the U.S. brought more than 30 years ago against Panama's leader, Manuel Noriega.

On Jan. 3, hours after the U.S. captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, a photograph circulated showing Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima wearing a Nike tracksuit. This image moved quickly across global media and was shared, commented on, memed, and folded into the familiar rhythms of contemporary visual culture .