Caracas January 3 2026 (Agencies) – The United States carried out a dramatic overnight military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and flying him out of the country amid a series of air and ground strikes, according to US and Venezuelan officials, in an unprecedented escalation of pressure on the oil-rich South American nation.
US President Donald Trump said Washington is now determining its next steps regarding Venezuela, stating in an interview with Fox News that the United States would remain “very much” involved. The legal authority for the operation was not immediately disclosed. The action drew comparisons to the 1990 US invasion of Panama, which resulted in the capture of leader Manuel Antonio Noriega.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, would face charges in the Southern District of New York following an indictment that includes allegations of narco-terrorism conspiracy. In a social media post, Bondi said the couple would soon face justice in US courts. Maduro and other senior Venezuelan officials were first indicted on narco-terrorism charges in 2020, though it was previously unclear whether Flores was included or whether the announcement referred to a new indictment.
Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández told the Associated Press that Maduro and Flores were captured at their residence inside the Ft. Tiuna military installation in Caracas. He said the location was struck during the operation, describing the seizure of the president and first lady as a kidnapping.
Residents of Caracas reported multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft in the early hours of Saturday, with at least seven blasts heard across the capital. The Venezuelan government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in what it described as an “imperialist attack,” urging citizens to mobilize in response.
With Maduro’s whereabouts unknown, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would assume power under Venezuelan law, though no formal confirmation of a transfer of authority was announced. Rodríguez issued a statement demanding proof of life for Maduro and Flores, and said that both civilians and members of the Venezuelan military were killed during the strikes, without providing casualty figures.
Trump later said the operation lasted less than 30 minutes and was carried out successfully in coordination with US law enforcement agencies. He announced plans to hold a news conference later in the day. The Pentagon referred questions about the safety of US personnel involved to the White House, which did not immediately respond to inquiries about where Maduro and his wife were taken following their capture.