US Forces Capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Wife in Early 2026 Operation
US forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, early on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Hours after their capture, both were indicted in New York on drug and weapons offenses. In response to the situation, former US President Donald Trump stated that the United States would run Venezuela temporarily.
The incident and its implications were discussed in the Politics Weekly America podcast, released on the same day at 14:38 EST. The episode featured Jonathan Freedland and Tom Phillips, with production by Danielle Stephens and executive production by Maz Ebtehaj. The discussion focused on whether Trump's administration will end the US military campaign in the region or if this incident marks the beginning of a prolonged intervention.
The coverage also encompassed broader topics related to Venezuelan politics, US foreign policy, and the Trump administration’s strategy in the Americas. This episode is part of Guardian's ongoing Politics Weekly America coverage concerning Venezuela and US politics.
