Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured early on January 3, 2026, in a U.S. military operation in Caracas. President Donald Trump announced the news on Truth Social, saying Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been taken and flown out of the country. U.S. officials told CBS News that the Army’s elite Delta Force unit carried out the capture.
The operation followed reports of explosions across the capital and nearby areas. Witnesses heard loud blasts around 2 a.m. local time, with smoke seen near key military sites like Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota airbase. Power outages hit parts of the city. Some residents fled into the streets.
Trump described it as a “large scale strike” and called the work “brilliant.” He plans to give more details at a press conference from Mar-a-Lago later today. The action comes after months of U.S. pressure on Maduro, including strikes on suspected drug boats and sanctions.
Venezuela’s government reacted strongly. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez spoke on state television, saying officials do not know where Maduro or his wife are. “We demand proof that he is alive,” she said. The defense minister ordered troops deployed and declared a national emergency.
Delta Force is known for high-risk missions. The same unit led the 2019 raid that killed ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Details on how they located Maduro remain limited. No word yet on casualties or exact damage from the strikes.
This marks a major escalation in U.S.-Venezuela relations. Trump has long accused Maduro of running a “narco-state” and rigging elections. A $50 million bounty was on Maduro’s head for drug charges. Opposition figures like María Corina Machado have backed tougher U.S. actions.
Regional reactions poured in fast. Colombia’s president called for urgent talks at the UN and OAS. Borders saw more troops. Flights over Venezuela got banned for safety.
In Caracas, calm returned by morning, but tension lingers. People worry about what comes next. Maduro’s supporters rallied in some spots, waving flags and condemning the U.S.
The White House has not given an official briefing yet. Sources say the operation involved coordination with law enforcement too.
Maduro ruled Venezuela since 2013, after Hugo Chávez’s death. His government faced protests, economic collapse, and mass migration. Millions fled shortages and hyperinflation.
Opposition leaders abroad welcomed the news cautiously. Machado’s team called it a step toward change but urged peaceful transition.
International groups watch closely. Russia and China, allies of Maduro, have not commented fully yet. Earlier ties included oil deals and loans.
For ordinary Venezuelans, daily life goes on amid uncertainty. Markets stayed closed in some areas. Schools and businesses assess the situation.
This could shift power quickly. Talks of interim government swirl, but nothing confirmed. The story develops hour by hour. More expected from Trump’s address.
