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On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the United States conducted a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during an overnight strike on the capital, Caracas. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the operation, stating that the U.S. had successfully carried out a strike and captured Maduro, who was flown out of the country to face criminal charges in New York, including allegations of narcoterrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
The operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, targeted multiple locations across northern Venezuela, including military bases and infrastructure in Caracas, with over 150 aircraft deployed.
American special operations forces, reportedly including Delta Force, carried out the raid in the early hours of January 3, capturing Maduro and his wife while they were reportedly asleep in their residence.
Trump claimed the U.S. would "run" Venezuela temporarily until a "safe, proper and judicious transition" of government could be established, though he did not specify the duration or mechanism of this oversight.
The U.S. has charged Maduro with narco-terrorism, a charge originally filed in 2020 and later reinforced with a $50 million bounty after Trump's return to office.
The Venezuelan government declared a national state of emergency and condemned the attack as "imperialist aggression," demanding proof of life for Maduro and his wife, while Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed their disappearance.
International reactions were sharply divided: the European Commission and UK expressed concern over the violation of international law, while Russia and Iran denounced the strike as an act of armed aggression.
The U.S. issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Venezuela, warning of risks including wrongful detention, terrorism, and civil unrest.
As of January 3, 2026, the situation remains highly fluid, with the constitutional succession process uncertain and the future of Venezuela's government in question."
