US Strikes Result in Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
On 3 January 2026, US military strikes led to the capture and removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. They were flown from Caracas by a US helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima, then transferred to Guantánamo Bay, and later to New York where they are detained at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center. Both have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices.
Former US President Trump stated that the US will oversee Venezuela during a safe and proper transition, with plans for US oil companies to repair the country's oil infrastructure to generate revenue. Venezuela holds about 303 billion barrels of crude, approximately 20% of world reserves. Since September, the US has launched over 30 strikes targeting drug-boat activities, though no public evidence has been released.
Delcy Rodríguez publicly disputed claims that Maduro is not the legitimate leader, affirming that he remains the only president and expressing willingness to comply with US demands. The Venezuelan government declared a national emergency and denounced the US military action as aggression, maintaining Maduro's legitimacy and readiness to defend the country.
International reactions to the operation included condemnation from Russia, China, and Cuba, with Cuba labeling the attack as criminal. Several Latin American countries also condemned the strike, while leaders from the UK and the European Union urged a peaceful transition. German Chancellor Merz questioned the legality of the military operation.
