U.S. Forces Capture Venezuelan President Maduro in Military Strike, Plan to "Run" Country

U.S. Forces Capture Venezuelan President Maduro in Military Strike, Plan to "Run" Country In an unprecedented military escalation, United States forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a series of strikes on Venezuelan territory. The operation, which occurred on Saturday, January 3, has removed the long-time leader from power and prompted U.S. officials to announce they will now directly administer the crisis-stricken South American nation [41033][41227][41055]. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced the operation, stated the United States will "run" Venezuela to "fix" its collapsed oil infrastructure and "take back the oil" [41227][40871][41525]. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, but its production has plummeted after years of economic mismanagement and crippling U.S. sanctions [41227][40871]. Maduro and his wife were reportedly flown out of Venezuela and are expected to face criminal charges, including terrorism and narcotics offenses, in a New York court [41136][40871][40942]. The U.S. has long labeled Maduro's government as illegitimate, accusing it of corruption, human rights abuses, and stealing the 2018 election [41136][40668][41525]. The immediate aftermath has created a dangerous power vacuum in Venezuela, with no clear successor named [41136]. While the U.S. has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the country's legitimate president since 2019, Trump suggested Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, should follow U.S. orders, though she has so far defied them [41379][41525]. The military action represents a direct and historic intervention in the Western Hemisphere, marking the first major U.S. military attack on South American land in decades [41525]. International legal experts have immediately questioned the operation's legality, predicting the U.S. will justify it as an act of self-defense [40942]. With Maduro's capture, the U.S. now controls a nation of 30 million people suffering from hyperinflation, severe food shortages, and a profound humanitarian crisis [42114]. The long-term plan for Venezuela's governance and stability remains unclear, as the world awaits reactions from regional allies and global powers [41055][40505]. U.S. Forces Capture Venezuelan President in Military Strike Venezuela Leader Ousted in U.S. Strike, Faces Charges in New York US Strikes Venezuela, Captures President Maduro U.S. Captures Venezuela's President in Secret Operation U.S. Forces Capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro US Strikes Venezuela, Abducts President Maduro US Captures Venezuelan President in "Large-Scale Strike" U.S. Military Strike Captures Venezuelan Leader Maduro U.S. Captures Maduro: What Now for Venezuela? US Seizes Venezuelan President, Vows to "Run" Country and "Take Back the Oil" U.S. Claims Capture of Venezuelan Leader in Military Strike U.S. Strikes Venezuela, Captures President Maduro US Captures Venezuelan President in Military Strike U.S. Strikes Venezuela, Captures President Maduro