U.S. Military Captures Venezuelan President Maduro in Covert Operation

In a significant escalation of U.S. involvement in Venezuela, American military forces executed a covert operation on January 3, 2026, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas. The operation, codenamed "Absolute Resolve," involved over 150 aircraft targeting multiple locations, including Fuerte Tiuna, Maduro's residence, and La Carlota airbase.

The U.S. Department of Defense reported that the mission aimed to apprehend Maduro on charges related to narco-terrorism. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that both Maduro and Flores have been indicted in the U.S. Southern District of New York on several charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy.

The operation resulted in significant casualties. According to Venezuelan and Cuban officials, more than 80 people were killed, including 32 Cuban military and intelligence members.

Following Maduro's capture, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of interim president, backed by Venezuela’s military and Supreme Court. Rodríguez, a longtime ally of Maduro, has expressed willingness to build respectful relations with the U.S.

The U.S. government maintains that the operation was a law enforcement action targeting narco-terrorism, not a declaration of war. However, legal experts argue that the level of aggression may have triggered an international armed conflict, invoking wartime legal standards.

The military action also disrupted air travel across the Caribbean, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations and stranding numerous travelers. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed airspace restrictions over Venezuela, affecting major airlines and cruise operations in the region.

This unprecedented operation marks a critical turning point in U.S.-Venezuela relations, with potential implications for regional stability and international law.