Trump Announces Capture of Venezuelan President Maduro in Elite U.S. Military Operation

The legal basis for the operation stems from a 2020 Department of Justice indictment for narco-terrorism, which included a $50 million bounty for Maduro’s capture.

RMN News Political Desk
New Delhi | January 3, 2026

MAR-A-LAGO, Florida — In a move that has sent shockwaves across the globe, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, January 3, 2026, that United States forces have captured and removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a large-scale military operation., The president shared the news via Truth Social, stating that the mission was conducted in coordination with U.S. law enforcement.

The Operation: “Shock and Awe” in Caracas

The capture was reportedly carried out by the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force unit as part of a “shock and awe” style strike., Residents in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas reported hearing at least seven major explosions around 2 a.m. local time, specifically targeting key military installations such as the La Carlota Airbase and Fuerte Tiuna. While social media images of the explosions circulated early Saturday, the Venezuelan government initially responded by declaring a national emergency and mobilizing defense forces to counter what Maduro termed “military aggression.”

According to President Trump, Maduro and Flores have already been flown out of Venezuela and are currently being transported to the United States. The legal basis for the operation stems from a 2020 Department of Justice indictment for narco-terrorism, which included a $50 million bounty for Maduro’s capture.

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Domestic and International Fallout

The situation on the ground remains volatile. While Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López denounced the operation as an “invasion,” Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded “proof of life” for the captured president. On the international stage, regional allies Russia and Iran have condemned the U.S. action, labeling it a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.

The operation follows years of tension between the two nations. In 2024, the U.S. government refused to recognize Maduro’s victory in a presidential election that Secretary of State Antony Blinken described as “deeply flawed.” Tensions further escalated in 2025 after the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to opposition figure Maria Corina Machado for her efforts to achieve a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. Just weeks prior to the capture, on December 23, 2025, President Trump had publicly signaled that it would be “smart” for Maduro to step down.

Next Steps

The White House has announced a press conference scheduled for 11 a.m. ET at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. President Trump is expected to provide further details of the mission and potentially release evidence of the capture.

The removal of Maduro marks a definitive turning point in U.S.-Venezuela relations, effectively acting as a final “checkmate” in a long-standing geopolitical chess match that began with the 2020 indictments and 2024 election disputes.