In a significant and developing international event, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the morning of Saturday, January 3, 2026, that U.S. forces have captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
According to official statements and reports from the scene, here are the key details of the operation:
The Military Operation
* The Strike: The capture followed a "large-scale strike" on Caracas and other strategic locations in Venezuela. Witnesses reported at least seven major explosions and low-flying aircraft over the capital around 2:00 AM local time.
* The Capture: Members of the U.S. Army’s Delta Force reportedly conducted a pre-dawn raid on what President Trump described as a "highly guarded fortress."
* Current Status: President Trump confirmed that Maduro and Flores were "captured and flown out of the country." While their exact current location has not been disclosed for security reasons, they are expected to be brought to the United States to face trial.
Legal Charges and Background
The U.S. government views this action as the execution of long-standing arrest warrants rather than a "kidnapping."
* Indictments: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Maduro and Flores face criminal charges in the Southern District of New York. These stem from a 2020 indictment involving narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and weapons charges.
* Bounty: Prior to this operation, the U.S. Department of State had increased the reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50 million in August 2025.
* Justification: The Trump administration has long accused Maduro of leading the "Cartel of the Suns" and collaborating with the FARC to use cocaine as a "weapon" against the United States.
International and Internal Reaction
* Venezuela: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the whereabouts of Maduro were unknown shortly after the strikes and condemned the act as "military aggression." The Venezuelan government has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
* Global Response: Countries like Brazil and Russia have condemned the move, with Brazil's President Lula calling it an "unacceptable line" and a violation of sovereignty.
* U.S
. Stance: Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the U.S. "anticipates no further action in Venezuela" now that Maduro is in custody, suggesting the operation was a targeted law enforcement mission.
President Trump is scheduled to hold a full news conference from Mar-a-Lago at 11:00 AM ET today to provide further details.
Would you like me to monitor the news for updates from that press conference or provide more details on the specific legal charges they are facing?
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