In a dramatic turn of events, former President Donald Trump has announced that the United States successfully executed a significant military operation in Venezuela, leading to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
On January 3, 2026, Caracas witnessed a series of explosions near Fuerte Tiuna, the largest military complex in Venezuela. According to Trump’s statement on Truth Social, both Maduro and his spouse were apprehended and subsequently removed from the country as part of this coordinated operation involving U.S. law enforcement agencies. However, specific details surrounding the mission have not been disclosed.
Reports from CBS News indicate that the elite Delta Force unit of the U.S. Army played a key role in capturing Maduro. When approached for comments, the Pentagon redirected inquiries to the White House, which has yet to provide further information.
Republican Senator Mike Lee had previously expressed concerns regarding the constitutional validity of the strike. Yet, on the same day as the announcement, he revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed him that U.S. forces arrested Maduro, who will be extradited to the United States to face legal charges. Lee emphasized that this operation was vital to safeguard those executing the arrest warrant, asserting that it likely falls under the president's inherent powers designated by Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from potential threats.
Echoing this sentiment, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated on X that Maduro would finally be held accountable for his alleged crimes.
While there has been no immediate response from the Venezuelan government, a video posted on Maduro's official Facebook account claimed that attacks were ongoing in the Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira states. In this video, Maduro insisted that the U.S. would fail in its ambitions to control Venezuela's vast oil and mineral resources, announcing a national emergency and mobilizing defense forces in response.
Trump described the operation as "brilliant," attributing its success to meticulous planning during an interview with the New York Times. Reports of explosions began around 2 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) in Caracas, with images circulating on social media, although these have not been verified independently.
This latest development follows a series of threats from Trump against Maduro, including a statement made on December 23, 2025, suggesting that it would be wise for Maduro to step down from power. In his recent post, Trump also mentioned an upcoming news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, scheduled for 11 a.m.
Last month, Trump imposed a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers operating in Venezuelan waters, claiming that the country was encircled by an unprecedented naval presence, described as the largest Armada ever assembled in South America. This assertive strategy aims to compel Maduro to relinquish control, particularly amidst allegations from both the U.S. government and Venezuelan opposition that he manipulated the electoral process to remain in power.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro reacted to the attacks in Caracas by calling for an urgent meeting of the Organization of American States and the United Nations. Meanwhile, Maduro, who took over from Hugo Chavez in 2013, has consistently accused Washington of seeking dominion over Venezuela's oil reserves, recognized as the largest in the world.
This situation is rapidly evolving, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.
