U.S. Military Operation Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

In a pre-dawn operation on January 3, 2026, U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes and a ground assault in Caracas, Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The couple was transported to the United States, where Maduro faces federal drug trafficking charges.

Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab reported that at least 24 Venezuelan security officers were killed during the operation. Additionally, the Cuban government confirmed the deaths of 32 of its military and police personnel stationed in Venezuela.

The U.S. Department of Defense stated that while some American personnel sustained injuries, there were no fatalities among U.S. forces.

Following the operation, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela's acting president. She condemned the U.S. action, describing it as an illegal aggression and a violation of Venezuela's sovereignty.

International reactions were swift, with the United Nations and several countries, including France, Denmark, Russia, and China, criticizing the U.S. intervention as a breach of international law. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that the operation violated the U.N. Charter's principles on sovereignty and the prohibition of force.

Domestically, the operation has sparked debate. President Donald Trump defended the action, noting bipartisan support for Maduro's arrest on drug trafficking charges. However, Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the legality and strategic implications of the intervention.

Public opinion in the United States is divided. A recent poll indicated that approximately 40% of Americans approved of the military action, while a similar percentage opposed it. About 20% remained unsure.

Maduro appeared in a U.S. federal court on January 5, pleading not guilty to the drug trafficking charges. The case is expected to have significant implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations and international diplomatic norms.