U.S. Military Operation Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

In the early hours of January 3, 2026, the United States launched a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was transported to New York, where Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S.

The operation, codenamed "Absolute Resolve," involved airstrikes and special forces deployment in Caracas. Following the capture, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president, as stipulated by the Venezuelan Constitution. Rodríguez demanded proof of Maduro's well-being and called for calm and unity within the country.

International reactions were swift and varied. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the U.S. actions as a "very serious affront to the sovereignty of Venezuela and an extremely dangerous precedent to all the international community." China expressed shock and criticized the U.S. for its blatant use of force. Conversely, Argentine President Javier Milei supported the operation, referring to it as a victory for freedom.

The European Union urged restraint and emphasized the importance of adhering to international law. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated, "Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint."

Maduro is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a facility known for housing high-profile inmates. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance in Manhattan on January 5, 2026.

The U.S. operation has ignited a global debate over sovereignty, international law, and the implications of unilateral military interventions. Many nations have called for peaceful resolutions and respect for the sovereignty of states, highlighting the potential risks such actions pose to regional and global stability.