The US attacked Venezuela and captured Maduro and Flores

On January 3, 2026, the world was shocked by news of a large-scale US military operation in Latin America. US President Donald Trump officially confirmed that Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and removed from Venezuelan territory as a result of overnight strikes and a special operation in Caracas.

Special Operation in Caracas: US Captures Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores

On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the United States conducted one of the most high-profile military operations in recent decades. Elite special forces units, including Delta Force, landed in the Venezuelan capital after a series of airstrikes on strategic targets in the city.

Chronicle of the Night Strike

The first explosions rocked Caracas early Saturday morning. Venezuelan authorities immediately declared a state of emergency, calling the events "imperialist aggression" and calling for public mobilization. However, the operation developed rapidly: according to reports from the White House, the main goal was precisely to seize the country's leadership.
Donald Trump, in an emergency statement, announced that Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured "in cooperation with U.S. law enforcement" and have already been transported out of Venezuela. They are currently in U.S. custody.

What are Maduro and Flores accused of?

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro and Flores will be charged in the Southern District of New York. The main charges include:

Narcoterrorism conspiracy: facilitating the trafficking of cocaine into the United States.
Illegal weapons possession: using machine guns and destructive devices for criminal purposes.
Corruption: money laundering and misuse of public resources for personal gain.

Bondi stated that the couple "will soon face the full fury of American justice on American soil."

Reaction of Venezuela and the International Community

In Caracas itself, the situation remains extremely tense. Representatives of the current government are demanding Maduro's immediate release and return to the country. At the same time, some Venezuelan opposition leaders are calling the seizure part of a deal aimed at preventing further bloodshed and ensuring a "controlled transition" of power.

The international reaction was divided:

The European Union called for a peaceful and democratic transition of power in the country.
Russia and other allies of Caracas previously stated their support for Venezuela's sovereignty and their readiness to act "synchronously and firmly" in the event of aggression.

What's next?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the active phase of hostilities is currently over and no further military operations are planned inside Venezuela. Washington's primary focus is now on the trial and the formation of a transitional government in Caracas until new elections are held.

Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a press conference at Mar-a-Lago at 11:00 AM East Coast Time (16:00 GMT), where he will reveal details of the seizure and plans for further actions in the region.