Absolute Resolve: Inside Trump’s Shocking Capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in 2026
On January 3, 2026, US forces captured Nicolas Maduro in a daring raid named 'Absolute Resolve.' President Trump vows to oversee Venezuela's transition as Maduro faces charges in New York.
It's the boldest US military move in over a decade. On January 3, 2026, the United States launched a massive strike on Venezuela, toppling and capturing President Nicolas Maduro. Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump hailed the operation as one of the most effective displays of military might in American history, drawing comparisons to the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden.
Trump US Military Capture Nicolas Maduro 2026: Operation Details
Dubbed 'Operation Absolute Resolve', the mission involved about 150 aircraft taking off from 20 airbases across the Western Hemisphere. General Dan Caine revealed that US forces had even built a replica of Maduro's compound to rehearse the extraction. At 11:46 PM on Friday, Trump gave the green light as weather cleared just enough for the high-stakes mission.
The raid lasted less than 30 minutes. By disabling Caracas's air defenses—literally turning the lights off in the capital—US helicopters touched down at the presidential compound at 2:01 AM. Just hours later, Maduro was blindfolded and placed on a US aircraft carrier, eventually touching down at an Air National Guard base in New York for processing.
The Human Cost and Venezuela’s Uncertain Sovereignty
The victory comes with a grim toll. While official counts are pending, reports suggest at least 40 people were killed during the strikes. Local residents described traumatic scenes of homes being destroyed by the sheer force of the blasts. Meanwhile, the United Nations has already questioned the legality of the operation, which was ostensibly part of a crackdown on drug-running activities.
Trump's vision for a post-Maduro Venezuela is polarizing. He's ruled out working with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and suggested the US might "run" the country temporarily. In response, Venezuela's Supreme Court has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president to ensure "administrative continuity" against what they call an abduction.
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