Inside the US Seizure of Nicolas Maduro 2026: A Sudden Regime Crisis

The US just redrew the map of Latin American power. In a daring midnight raid on January 3, 2026, US forces bombed military targets in Caracas and seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro and his wife were spirited away to New York to face federal narco-trafficking charges. He's currently held in a Brooklyn jail and is set to appear in a Manhattan court this Monday.

Strategic Impact of the US Seizure of Nicolas Maduro 2026

Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez slammed the move as a "cowardly kidnapping," reporting that several bodyguards and military personnel were killed during the extraction. Despite the outcry, the Supreme Court in Caracas has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president for 90 days. President Donald Trump hasn't wasted time issuing threats, stating Rodriguez will pay a "very big price" if she refuses to cooperate with Washington.

Economic Pressure and International Backlash

Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the US would use an "oil quarantine" as leverage rather than directly governing the nation. This move aims to balance Trump's "America First" rhetoric with the reality of boots on the ground. However, the United Nations has voiced deep alarm. Special rapporteur Ben Saul called the actions illegal and even suggested that Trump should face impeachment for the violation of the right to life. The UN Security Council meets this Monday to debate the fallout.