Washington, D.C. — January 3, 2026 — In an extraordinary and unprecedented move, the United States military has launched large-scale strikes on Venezuela, claiming to have **captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in an operation early this Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump announced the mission’s success on social media and national outlets, asserting that both Maduro and Flores were seized and are being transported out of the country to face criminal charges in U.S. courts. 
According to statements from the U.S. Attorney General, Maduro is wanted in the United States on long-standing drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, including conspiracy to import cocaine — legal actions stemming from a federal indictment first issued in 2020 and enhanced over the past year.
The strikes — involving air raids over Caracas and other key regions — reportedly produced loud explosions and low-flying aircraft sightings early Saturday morning as U.S. forces targeted strategic military positions. Venezuelan officials condemned the assault as a blatant violation of sovereignty, declaring a national state of emergency and demanding immediate proof of life for their president and first lady.
The international response has been swift and sharply divided. Brazil’s president called the U.S. action an “unacceptable line crossed,” urging a United Nations response, while other governments from China to the European Union criticized the military intervention as a serious breach of global norms. Some U.S. allies stressed the importance of upholding international law even while acknowledging concerns over Maduro’s regime.
Venezuela’s future remains uncertain: with Maduro detained and global diplomatic shockwaves spreading, regional stability is likely to be tested as responses unfold throughout the Americas and beyond. This situation continues to develop rapidly, and further updates are expected
