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January 3, 2026 – In a stunning development that has shocked the world, President Donald Trump announced early Saturday morning that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country following a large-scale US military operation.
Major Military Operation Unfolds
The dramatic announcement came just hours after multiple explosions rocked Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, in the early morning hours. President Trump confirmed the operation on his Truth Social platform, stating: “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.”
According to US officials, elite Delta Force special operations troops were involved in the capture operation. Trump described it as a “brilliant operation” in a brief phone interview, adding that the action was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement.
Venezuela Declares State of Emergency
The Venezuelan government has declared a national state of emergency in response to what it calls “military aggression” by the United States. Multiple explosions were reported across Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira around 2 AM local time.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez appeared on state television demanding “immediate proof of life” for President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, stating that the government does not know their whereabouts. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced the deployment of military forces across the country, calling it “the worst aggression” ever against Venezuela.
Months of Rising Tensions
This extraordinary escalation comes after months of increasing pressure from the Trump administration on Venezuela. The US has accused Maduro of leading a narco-terrorism operation and has been conducting strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean.
Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Venezuela, claiming Maduro’s regime is responsible for flooding the United States with illegal drugs. The US indicted Maduro on narco-terrorism charges in 2020 and placed a $50 million reward for information leading to his capture.
What Happens Next?
President Trump has scheduled a news conference for 11 AM EST at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to provide more details about the operation. According to Senator Mike Lee of Utah, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Maduro is now in US custody and will stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.
The Federal Aviation Administration has banned all US commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity.” The US Embassy in Bogota has warned American citizens to shelter in place and immediately leave Venezuela if possible.
International Reactions Begin
Senator Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned against US military involvement in Venezuela, posting that the United States has “no vital national interests in Venezuela to justify war.”
The Venezuelan government has called on supporters to take to the streets, stating: “People to the streets! The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilization plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”
Military Buildup in the Region
Since August, the US military has been establishing a massive presence in the region, deploying the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, F-35 fighter jets, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and spy planes. The Trump administration has described this buildup as necessary to curb the flow of illicit drugs and protect American interests.
According to the Trump administration, US forces have conducted at least 35 boat strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels, resulting in at least 115 deaths. Trump authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela last year.
The Stakes for Oil and Resources
Venezuela, which possesses vast oil reserves, has accused the United States of attempting to seize its strategic resources. In a statement, the Venezuelan government said: “The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, attempting to break the Nation’s political independence by force.”
Maduro had indicated earlier this week that Venezuela was open to negotiating with the US on drug trafficking issues, even as he remained silent on previous CIA-led strikes on Venezuelan territory.
Breaking Updates
This is a developing story. Reports continue to emerge from Caracas, with witnesses describing multiple explosions and power outages across parts of the city. CNN teams on the ground have confirmed witnessing several explosions, and smoke has been seen rising from La Carlota airport and Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex.
The capture of a sitting head of state by US military forces represents an unprecedented development in modern international relations and is likely to have far-reaching consequences for US foreign policy in Latin America and beyond.