New York/Bogotá/Caracas – In a dramatic escalation of tensions, U.S. forces executed a large-scale military operation codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve on January 3, 2026, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was flown to New York, where they face long-standing federal charges related to drug trafficking, narco-terrorism, and weapons offenses in the Southern District of New York.
The operation, announced by President Donald Trump early Saturday, involved over 150 aircraft—including F-18, F-22, F-35 fighter jets, B-1 bombers, electronic warfare planes, and helicopters—launched from more than 20 locations across the Western Hemisphere. Elite U.S. Army Delta Force units, supported by special operations forces, conducted the raid on Maduro's residence within the Fuerte Tiuna military complex in Caracas. No U.S. fatalities were reported, though some personnel sustained injuries. Venezuelan officials reported at least 40 deaths, including civilians and military personnel, from strikes on military installations, airports, and residential areas.
Maduro and Flores were extracted by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima amphibious assault ship in the Caribbean before being transferred to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York. Maduro arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn late Saturday, with an arraignment expected early the following week. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated the couple would "face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts."
The strikes began around 2:00 a.m. local time, with explosions reported across Caracas, including at La Carlota airport and Fuerte Tiuna. Power outages affected parts of the capital, and U.S. cyber operations reportedly disrupted communications. All Venezuelan airports near Caracas were targeted or seized, except Maiquetia international airport, to prevent escapes by government allies.
This followed months of U.S. military buildup, including deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group, approximately 15,000 troops in the Caribbean, seizures of sanctioned oil tankers, and strikes on over 30 alleged drug-smuggling vessels. Trump has accused Maduro of leading the "Cartel de los Soles" and facilitating narcotics flows, claims Caracas denies, alleging the real motive is seizure of Venezuela's vast oil reserves—the world's largest at over 300 billion barrels.
Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, said the U.S. would temporarily "run the country" until a "safe, proper and judicious transition," involving U.S. oil companies to revive infrastructure. He described the operation as a success against drug trafficking and a response to prior nationalizations of American assets.
Venezuelan Government Response: Acting leader Vice President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national emergency, labeling the action "imperialist aggression" and a "kidnapping." She demanded proof of life and immediate release, asserting defiance. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, in tactical gear, urged calm while calling for global condemnation. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López reported strikes on residential areas, and Foreign Minister Yvan Gil described it as a "cowardly and disproportionate assault."
Regional Reactions: Latin America split ideologically. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro condemned the bombing, deploying forces to the border fearing refugee influx and calling for UN/OAS meetings. Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called it a "grave affront" to sovereignty. Mexico "strongly" rejected it as violating the UN Charter, offering to facilitate talks. Cuba's Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced "state terrorism," while Chile's Gabriel Boric urged dialogue.
Conversely, Argentina's Javier Milei hailed it as advancing "freedom." El Salvador's Nayib Bukele criticized Caracas, Paraguay saw potential for democracy, and Peru/Panama supported transition.
International Outcry: UN Secretary-General António Guterres called it a "dangerous precedent," urging international law adherence. Russia, China, and Iran condemned it as aggression. The EU expressed concern over stability.
Domestically, Republicans praised it as anti-drug success; some Democrats questioned lack of congressional authorization.
The operation evokes the 1989 Panama invasion. With Maduro indicted since 2020 (superseded in 2026), focus shifts to trial and Venezuela's uncertain future amid humanitarian crisis.
