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 U.S. military forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a large-scale military operation, marking an unprecedented direct intervention in the South American nation [41033][41227][40942]. The operation, which included airstrikes, occurred overnight on Saturday, January 3, 2026 [40737][40921][41088]. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who announced the action, described it as a "large-scale strike" and stated that the United States will now "run" Venezuela [40942][41055][42114]. A key stated goal is to access and "take back" the country's vast oil reserves, the largest proven in the world [41227][40871][41525]. Maduro and his wife were reportedly taken from their home in Caracas and are now in U.S. custody [40970]. They are expected to be transported to New York to face criminal charges, including accusations of narco-terrorism and running a "narco terrorist organisation" [41136][40942][40970]. The U.S. government has long labeled Maduro's rule as illegitimate, accusing his administration of corruption, human rights abuses, and stealing elections [41136][40668][41525]. For years, the U.S. has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's legitimate president and imposed severe economic sanctions on the country [41379][40505]. The capture of the sitting head of state has created an immediate leadership vacuum and profound uncertainty for Venezuela's 30 million citizens [41136][42114]. There has been no immediate statement from the Venezuelan military or the remnants of Maduro's government regarding a successor [41379][40668]. While President Trump suggested Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, should follow U.S. orders, she has so far defied them [41525]. The unilateral military action represents a dramatic break from established international law and sets a dangerous global precedent, according to analysts [40737][40942][41525]. The long-term plan for governing Venezuela and stabilizing its collapsed economy, which suffers from hyperinflation and severe humanitarian crises, remains unclear [42114][41055]. 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 Venezuelan President Captured in U.S. Military Raid