In a dramatic and unprecedented move, the United States has carried out a substantial military operation in Venezuela, with President Donald Trump announcing that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been captured and removed from the country.
According to official statements and reports from several major news outlets, the U.S. launched a large-scale strike in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, early on January 3, 2026, involving air attacks and military maneuvers that led to explosions and heavy activity in key military areas.
Trump described the mission as a successful operation, saying U.S. forces — potentially including elite units — carried out the mission, and that Maduro and his wife are now in U.S. custody to face criminal charges.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that the couple will be processed and held to face federal charges, including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, in U.S. courts.
A Historic and Controversial Action
If accurate, this event would mark the first time a sitting Latin American head of state has been captured and removed by a foreign military force. The strike was part of a broader escalation in pressure against Maduro’s government, which has long faced accusations from the United States of enabling drug trafficking and undermining democracy in Venezuela.
Uncertainty and Conflicting Reports
Despite Trump’s announcement, the Venezuelan government has challenged U.S. claims.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has said that officials do not currently know the whereabouts of Maduro and Flores and have demanded proof of life, calling the U.S. action an act of imperialist aggression.
The operation has also triggered international concern:
Brazil denounced the U.S. action as an unacceptable violation of sovereignty.
The Venezuelan government has reportedly declared a state of emergency and mobilised forces.
Regional leaders are calling for emergency United Nations action, and the crisis is rapidly evolving.
Next Steps and Legal Questions
U.S. officials have said Maduro and Flores face charges in the Southern District of New York, connected to a 2020 indictment that accused Maduro of involvement in narco-terrorism and related offenses.
But major questions remain, particularly regarding:
Where they are being held
The legality of the military operation
Whether Congress authorised the strike. How Venezuelan governance will proceed without its president confirmed in custody
U.S. sources say more details will be shared at a forthcoming press briefing from the White House.