In a historic and high-stakes military operation that has reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Americas, U.S. President Donald J. Trump confirmed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by elite American forces early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026.
The pre-dawn mission, described by the President as a “large-scale strike,” involved precision aerial bombardments and a ground operation by the U.S. Army’s Delta Force. Maduro and Flores have reportedly been flown out of Venezuela and are currently in U.S. custody to face long-standing indictments for narco-terrorism and corruption.
The Anatomy of the Strike
The operation commenced around 2:00 AM local time in Caracas, marked by at least seven major explosions and the sound of low-flying aircraft across the capital.
- Targeted Locations: Intelligence sources confirm strikes hit Fuerte Tiuna (Venezuela’s primary military complex), La Carlota airbase, and strategic communications hubs at El Volcán.
- Naval Blockade: The mission follows months of maritime tension, during which the USS Gerald R. Ford and a carrier strike group enforced a naval blockade, recently seizing multiple oil tankers and targeting vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
- Coordination: The President stated the operation was executed in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement, signaling the enforcement of a $50 million bounty previously placed on Maduro by the U.S. Department of Justice.
A “New Dawn” for Venezuela?
While the White House hails the operation as a “brilliant” success that ends a decades-long “tyranny,” the situation on the ground in Venezuela remains volatile.
| Current Status | Key Figures | Action Taken |
| Capture Confirmed | Nicolás Maduro & Cilia Flores | Flown to undisclosed U.S. location. |
| State of Emergency | VP Delcy Rodríguez | Declared “External Disturbance”; demanded proof of life. |
| Military Alert | Gen. Vladimir Padrino López | Mobilized all national defense units for “resistance.” |
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez appeared on state television shortly after the strikes, denouncing the “imperialist aggression” and urging citizens to take to the streets. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned all U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace, citing “ongoing military activity.”
Global Repercussions and Next Steps
The capture of Maduro marks the most significant U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama to arrest Manuel Noriega. Regional neighbors are already reacting; Colombia has mobilized security forces to its border in anticipation of a mass influx of refugees and potential retaliatory unrest.
A formal news conference is scheduled for 11:00 AM EST today at Mar-a-Lago, where President Trump is expected to provide further details on the legal proceedings and the future of U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s transition.
