Nicolás Maduro Captured in US-Led Raid; Trump Comments from Mar-a-Lago
Nicolás Maduro was captured in an overnight operation that has drawn global attention to Latin America. The raid was praised by former President Donald Trump during a statement from Mar-a-Lago on 3 January 2026, which he described as a historic US intervention.
Trump floated plans to 'run' Venezuela and framed the operation as a significant American action. He used the moment to express grievances regarding his own legal treatment, perceived lack of credit, and issues with Congressional leaks. He also praised the current military leadership involved in the raid, while criticizing other generals he had worked with previously, including General Dan 'Raizin' Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs.
Additionally, Trump claimed credit for crime reductions in Chicago and commented on the National Guard's work in Memphis and New Orleans, while blaming local governors and mayors for broader failures. He defended his pardon of Honduras' former president Juan Orlando Hernández, arguing that Biden's administration persecuted him and linking it to a broader crackdown on Maduro.
In his remarks, Trump framed the Ukraine conflict as "Biden's war," stating it would not have happened under his presidency, and referenced Vladimir Putin within the context of this broader critique.
