U.S. Military Operation Captures Venezuelan President in Dramatic Strike

Sun Jan 04 2026 12:05:28 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. has confirmed the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a series of large-scale military strikes in Caracas, escalating tensions between the two countries.

In a dramatic military operation, the U.S. has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro amid explosive strikes across Caracas. The Venezuelan government has demanded proof of his well-being and declared a national emergency. President Trump confirmed the operation, alleging Maduro's ties to drug trafficking and asserting U.S. resilience against foreign aggression. As tensions rise, Venezuela's leadership condemns the U.S. actions as a sovereignty infringement.

The U.S. has captured Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro after a large scale strike on the South American country, U.S. President Donald Trump has said.

Trump stated that Maduro and his wife were flown out of the country in a military operation in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement.

Explosions were reported across Caracas in the early hours of Saturday morning, including at military bases, prompting the Venezuelan government to demand proof of Maduro's life while declaring a national emergency.

Maduro's capture follows heightened tensions, with Washington launching strikes on boats in the Caribbean allegedly used for drug smuggling.

The U.S. accused Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking and called him an illegitimate leader, while Maduro retaliated by accusing the U.S. of intimidation.

What do we know about Maduro's capture?

Details about the circumstances of Maduro's capture remain sparse, with Trump not elaborating on the specifics of the operation.

According to reports, the U.S. military's Delta Force was involved in Maduro's detention.

Trump plans to hold a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida to provide further insights into the situation.

What happened during the strikes?

At approximately 02:00 local time (06:00 GMT), explosions were heard in Caracas, with smoke plumes visible throughout the city. Key targets included military airfields and major bases, leaving surrounding communities in darkness.

Video evidence has emerged showing the aftermath but remains unverified. Casualties from the strikes remain unknown as verification is still pending.

How has Venezuela reacted?

The Vice-President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, stated that the government was unaware of Maduro's or First Lady Cilia Flores' whereabouts and demanded evidence of their well-being. The defense minister condemned the strikes as attacks on civilian areas and vowed resistance against foreign military presence.

The Venezuelan government issued a statement calling the U.S. military actions an “extremely serious military aggression” and accused the country of threatening international peace and stability.

What has Donald Trump said?

Initially withholding comments, Trump later confirmed via his Truth Social platform that the strikes were a success, capturing Maduro and asserting the operation's legitimacy through U.S. law enforcement. He promised more information would follow.

Who is Maduro and why has he been captured?

Nicolás Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chávez in 2013, has been a controversial leader facing allegations of dictatorship and drug trafficking. The U.S. has placed a monetary reward for information leading to his capture, citing concerns over drug trafficking issues that have plagued the nation, particularly the influx of fentanyl and cocaine into the U.S. Maduro has denied these allegations, claiming they are a facade for U.S. intentions to seize Venezuelan resources.