Caracas / Washington | Quickpost | Jan. 3, 2026
The United States has carried out a major military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday. According to U.S. statements, the couple was flown out of Venezuela as part of the operation.
The strike followed overnight explosions and military action in Caracas and other strategic locations. Trump described the operation on social media as a successful mission conducted by U.S. forces, involving military assets including special operations troops. He said Maduro and Flores were taken into U.S. custody and will face charges related to drug trafficking and “narco-terrorism.”
U.S. Version of Events
According to official U.S. statements:
- • Maduro and his wife were captured during the operation and flown out of Venezuela.
- • The U.S. military action targeted key military and government sites in Caracas.
- • Trump likened the mission to historical U.S. captures of foreign leaders and asserted it was justified by long-standing accusations against Maduro’s government.
Opposition and International Reaction
The government in Caracas condemned the attack as an illegal act of aggression and a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Venezuelan officials have demanded immediate proof of life for Maduro and Flores, saying their whereabouts were unknown shortly after the strikes.
Reactions from abroad have been mixed:
- • Some European leaders called for calm and stressed the need to uphold international law.
- • Several countries condemned the U.S. action as an infringement on sovereignty.
- • Others expressed concern about regional stability and the humanitarian impact.
Legal and Political Fallout
U.S. officials indicated that Maduro and his wife will be taken to the United States to face criminal charges. Legal details have not been fully disclosed, and the U.S. Congress has not publicly authorized military action in Venezuela.
The sudden removal of Venezuela’s president raises urgent questions about the future leadership of the country and the role of the Venezuelan armed forces. Amid uncertainty, the Venezuelan vice president’s status and succession plans remain unclear.
What This Means
This event marks a historic and unprecedented escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations, with potential wide-ranging implications for regional security, international law, and U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.
