In a stunning overnight military operation codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” U.S. special forces successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their fortified residence in Caracas. The raid, which occurred in the early hours of January 4, 2026, involved approximately 150 aircraft and elite Delta Force units. Reports indicate that the operation was swift, lasting less than 30 minutes, and targeted several military installations and communication hubs across northern Venezuela to provide cover for the extraction.
President Donald Trump confirmed the capture via social media and a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, hailing the mission as a “brilliant operation.” He announced that Maduro and Flores have already been flown to New York, where they will face trial on serious narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. The U.S. Department of Justice released images of the handcuffed leader arriving in Manhattan, a dramatic end to the years-long standoff between Washington and the socialist administration in Caracas.
In the wake of the leadership vacuum, President Trump stated that the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily to ensure a “safe, proper, and judicious transition.” He emphasized that major U.S. oil companies would soon be involved in revitalizing Venezuela’s crippled energy sector, suggesting that the U.S. intends to maintain a significant presence in the country until a new government is established.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has condemned the act as an “illegal kidnapping” and an “imperialist aggression.” Despite her protests, Venezuela’s Supreme Court has reportedly ordered her to assume the role of interim president to maintain order. International reaction has been swift and divided, with some nations celebrating the removal of a dictator while others, including China and North Korea, denounce the move as a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law.