Trump Venezuela Maduro capture 2026: U.S. Forces Seize President in Surprise Caracas Strike

A lightning strike has changed the map of South America. On January 3, 2026, the United States launched a massive military operation in Caracas, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Maduro and his wife were taken by U.S. personnel to face criminal charges, marking an extraordinary escalation of Washington's pressure campaign.

Details of the Trump Venezuela Maduro capture 2026 Operation

According to the Associated Press, the operation lasted less than 30 minutes. At least seven blasts rocked the capital city around 4:30 a.m. local time, sending residents fleeing into the streets. While the U.S. claims the strikes were successful, the Venezuelan government condemned the act as an 'imperialist attack' and called for a mass mobilization of its citizens.

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The whereabouts of the captured president remain undisclosed, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Maduro would stand trial in the U.S. for narco-terrorism charges stemming from a 2020 indictment. In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded 'proof of life' as the country enters a state of external disturbance.

Global Fallout and Domestic Legal Debate

The strike hasn't escaped criticism within the U.S. Congress. Senator Mike Lee questioned the constitutional justification for the use of military force without a formal declaration of war. Internationally, the reaction is sharply divided: Argentina's Javier Milei praised the move, while Cuba and Iran lashed out at what they described as a criminal assault on peace.