In a dramatic escalation of U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America, President Donald J. Trump announced early on January 3, 2026, that U.S. forces had successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a large-scale military operation in Venezuela's capital, Caracas. The operation, described by Trump as conducted in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement, involved airstrikes and ground actions that led to explosions across the city, marking a significant intervention just days into Trump's second term.
Trump made the announcement via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, at approximately 5:21 a.m. Venezuelan time (4:21 a.m. ET). "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. "This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement." The post quickly garnered widespread attention, confirming reports of military activity that began overnight.
The strikes followed months of heightened tensions and a substantial U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean region. Since early September 2025, U.S. forces had intensified operations against alleged drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, escalating in late December with the seizure of oil tankers bound for Venezuelan ports. A formidable naval presence, including guided-missile destroyers, a missile cruiser, and the USS Gerald R. Ford—the world's largest aircraft carrier—had been assembled in the southern Caribbean, alongside a Marine Corps amphibious ready group. These assets positioned the U.S. for rapid action against Maduro's regime, which Trump had repeatedly threatened for alleged drug trafficking, corruption, and human rights abuses.
Venezuelan officials swiftly responded, declaring a national state of emergency and denouncing the actions as "military aggression." Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed Maduro's disappearance and demanded "immediate proof of life" for the president and his wife, rejecting the U.S. intervention as a violation of sovereignty. Explosions and helicopter activity were reported in Caracas starting around 2:00 a.m. local time, with eyewitnesses describing airstrikes targeting government buildings and military installations. The Venezuelan government accused the U.S. of attempting regime change to seize control of the country's vast oil reserves—the largest in the world.
U.S. officials, speaking to media outlets, revealed that the elite Delta Force unit executed the ground operation to apprehend Maduro, drawing parallels to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama that led to the arrest of Manuel Noriega—exactly 35 years prior on the same date. Trump referenced Maduro's 2020 indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice on narcoterrorism charges, framing the capture as an extension of law enforcement efforts against international drug cartels. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Maduro would face criminal charges in the U.S., emphasizing the operation's legal basis under existing indictments.
The international community reacted with a mix of condemnation and caution. Leaders from Russia, China, and Cuba—key allies of Maduro—denounced the strikes as illegal aggression, while some Latin American nations expressed concern over regional stability. The United Nations called for restraint and an emergency Security Council meeting. In the U.S., reactions were polarized: supporters praised Trump for decisive action against a "narco-state," while critics, including Democratic leaders, questioned the legality and risks of escalation. Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn condemned the strikes as "an unprovoked and illegal attack" aimed at controlling Venezuelan oil.
Social media buzzed with unverified videos of explosions in Caracas, shared by residents amid power outages and communication disruptions. X (formerly Twitter) posts from journalists and locals described chaos, with one viral clip showing helicopter gunships over the city. Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson faced backlash for past sympathetic interviews with Maduro, while pro-Trump accounts celebrated the operation as a "real special military operation."
This event marks a bold foreign policy move for Trump, echoing his first-term rhetoric against Maduro but escalating to direct military intervention. Analysts note it fulfills campaign promises to combat drug trafficking and authoritarian regimes in the Western Hemisphere. However, risks include potential refugee crises, oil market volatility, and diplomatic fallout with leftist governments in Latin America.
Venezuela's economy, already crippled by sanctions and hyperinflation, faces further turmoil. Maduro, in power since 2013, had faced international isolation following disputed elections, with the U.S. recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as interim president in 2019—a stance later abandoned. The capture could pave the way for U.S.-backed transitional governance, but experts warn of prolonged instability if resistance emerges from Maduro loyalists.
As details emerge, global eyes remain on Washington and Caracas. Trump is expected to address the nation later today, providing more on the operation's objectives and next steps. The White House has not commented on casualties or Maduro's destination, but sources suggest he may be en route to a U.S. facility for prosecution.
This development, occurring 35 years after Noriega's arrest, revives debates on U.S. interventionism in Latin America, from the Monroe Doctrine to modern "regime change" operations. Human rights groups urge adherence to international law, while Venezuelan opposition figures abroad express cautious optimism for democratic restoration.
The operation's success hinges on post-capture stability, with potential for power vacuums or insurgencies. Oil prices surged in early trading, reflecting market fears over supply disruptions. Regional allies like Colombia and Brazil monitor developments closely, balancing non-intervention principles with relief at Maduro's removal.
In summary, Trump's announcement signals an aggressive pivot in U.S.-Venezuela relations, potentially reshaping the region's geopolitics amid ongoing global tensions. Long-term outcomes remain uncertain, but the event underscores Trump's willingness to deploy military force for foreign policy goals.
