In a dramatic and unprecedented military operation, the United States has confirmed the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a large-scale strike on the South American nation's capital early Saturday morning.
Operation and Capture Confirmed by Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the operation on social media, stating that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of Venezuela. The strike, which occurred in the early hours of January 3, 2026, involved multiple explosions and aircraft flyovers in Caracas, lasting less than half an hour.
"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country," Trump wrote on Truth Social. In a follow-up post, he confirmed Maduro "will be brought to the United States to face criminal charges."
Chaos in Caracas and Legal Charges
The attack sent shockwaves through the Venezuelan capital. Residents reported at least seven loud blasts around 2:00 a.m. local time, with smoke seen rising from Fuerte Tiuna, the country's largest military complex. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed civilian and military casualties and stated the government has lost contact with Maduro, demanding "proof of life."
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on X that Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. The charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons charges. Bondi vowed the couple would "face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts."
Background and Immediate Aftermath
This military action follows months of increased pressure from the Trump administration on Maduro's government. The U.S. had recently deployed a naval task force to the Caribbean and conducted strikes on boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking. A CIA-ordered drone strike on a Venezuelan dock area occurred just last week.
With Maduro's location unknown, Rodriguez is set to assume power under Venezuelan law. The government urged people to take to the streets, leading to armed civilians and militia members appearing in some neighbourhoods, while other areas of Caracas remained deserted and without power hours after the attack.
The legal authority for the cross-border capture operation remains unclear. Maduro was last seen publicly on Friday, January 2, meeting with Chinese officials in Caracas.
