In a stunning pre-dawn operation on January 3, 2026, United States special forces executed a precision strike on key military sites in Caracas and surrounding areas, culminating in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Explosions rocked the capital as low-flying aircraft targeted Fort Tiuna military complex and other installations. President Donald Trump announced the success on social media, stating the couple was extracted from their residence and flown to a US warship. The operation, involving Delta Force and CIA intelligence, lasted under 30 minutes and marked the first such removal of a sitting head of state since the 1989 Panama invasion.
Global Backlash and Oil Ambitions
The strike has sparked widespread international condemnation, with Russia, Iran, Cuba, Brazil, and Mexico denouncing it as a violation of sovereignty and calling for UN intervention. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof of life for Maduro, while Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López vowed resistance. Trump, in a Mar-a-Lago press conference, declared the US would temporarily “run” Venezuela to facilitate a transition, emphasizing American companies would invest billions to revive oil infrastructure. He framed the action as combating narco-terrorism, citing a 2020 US indictment against Maduro. Opposition leader María Corina Machado hailed it as the “hour of freedom,” but critics warn of prolonged instability and regional fallout. Casualties remain unclear, though Venezuelan officials report civilian deaths. The Maduro couple is en route to New York for trial on drug-related charges.