American forces capture Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a surprise operation in Venezuela announced by Trump

A large-scale military operation conducted by the Estados Unidos on Venezuela resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the First Lady, Cilia Flores, during the early hours of January 3, 2026. The announcement was made by the American President, The action, which surprised the international community, took place in Caracas and in nearby strategic regions, with multiple explosions reported in military and civilian areas, plunging the Venezuelan capital into a state of tension and uncertainty.

The offensive was coordinated by US special forces and law enforcement agencies, according to Trump, who scheduled a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, on Flórida, to provide more details about the mission. Moradores of Caracas reported hearing at least seven loud explosions at around 2am local time, accompanied by the sound of aircraft flying over the city at low altitude. In response, the Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency and mobilized its troops in what it classified as a serious aggression against national sovereignty.

The justification presented by the American authorities for the military intervention is based on accusations of drug trafficking and terrorism against Maduro, who has faced formal indictment in the Estados Unidos since 2020. Departamento of Estado offered a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to his arrest, intensifying pressure on the regime in recent years. The capture represents the climax of a long campaign of sanctions and operations against criminal networks allegedly linked to the Venezuelan government.

Details of the military action in Caracas

The operation was executed with precision by elite Estados Unidos special forces units, who carried out a rapid and coordinated raid to capture Maduro. Ataques surgical air strikes were directed at strategic targets, including the Fuerte Tiuna military base, the main Forças Armadas Nacionais Bolivarianas complex, and the La Carlota airport, both in Caracas. Testemunhas reported columns of smoke rising from these locations as Venezuelan anti-aircraft defenses were activated in an attempt to repel the attack.

As a security measure, the US FAA issued an immediate ban on commercial flights in all Venezuelan airspace, citing ongoing intense military activity. The explosions were not limited to the capital, with reports of similar incidents in the neighboring states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, indicating a wider operation than initially assumed. Até At this time, no official reports have been released on the number of victims or the extent of damage to civilian installations.

The Venezuelan government’s immediate response

In an audio statement broadcast on state television, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded that the US government present immediate proof that Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores were alive and safe. Visivelmente shaken, Rodríguez stated that the Venezuelan high command was unaware of the couple’s whereabouts and classified the action as an “imperialist military aggression”. Ela also denounced the violation of territorial sovereignty and Carta of the Nações Unidas, calling on the international community to condemn the attack.

The minister of Defesa of Venezuela, Vladimir Padrino López, mobilized all operational commands to defend the national territory, placing the armed forces on maximum alert. In an official statement, the Venezuelan government stated that the American operation was a “cowardly attack against civilian and military locations”, putting peace in América Latina and Caribe at risk. Uncertainty over the line of succession and command structure generated an immediate power vacuum, with the streets of Caracas remaining largely empty under a heavy military presence.

Context of the accusations and American pressure

The capture of Maduro is the result of a long campaign of diplomatic and legal pressure by the Estados Unidos. Desde 2020, he is formally accused by the American Departamento of Justiça for crimes of narcoterrorism, money laundering and corruption. U.S. authorities allege that Maduro leads the “Cartel de los

In the months leading up to the operation, the Trump administration intensified actions against alleged trafficking networks, resulting in the destruction of dozens of suspected vessels in Mar, Caribe and Oceano Pacífico Oriental. Senator Marco Rubio, an influential voice in US foreign policy for Senadores Republicans confirmed that Maduro will be brought to trial on American soil to face criminal charges.

Current situation in the capital and reactions

In the hours following the operation, the city of Caracas remained in a state of tense calm. Moradores who were awakened by the loud explosions described moments of fear, with buildings shaking and power cuts in several neighborhoods. The presidential palace of Miraflores and other government buildings were surrounded by soldiers loyal to the regime, as the population awaits more information about the country’s future. Oil production, vital to the Venezuelan economy, continued to operate normally, according to sources from the state-owned PDVSA.

American officials, such as Senator Mike Lee, have stated that military action was necessary to protect personnel executing a valid arrest warrant and that Nicolás Maduro will finally face justice for his crimes. Christopher Landau, a leading figure in Departamento of Estado, stated that this is a crucial step towards accountability. Enquanto this, the international community begins to react, with some countries expressing concern about the violation of sovereignty and others supporting the action as a necessary measure against a regime considered authoritarian and criminal.

Next steps and political future

The focus now turns to Donald Trump’s press conference, where more details are expected to be revealed about the operation, the legal status of Maduro and the Estados Unidos’s plans for Venezuela. Fontes from the American government indicate that, with the capture of the main target, there are no plans for additional military actions in the country. The transfer of Maduro to Estados Unidos for trial marks a significant precedent in international relations and transnational law enforcement.

In the Venezuelan scenario, the absence of Maduro opens a period of deep political uncertainty. The power structure he left behind faces the challenge of reorganizing itself, while the opposition, supported by the US and other countries, may see an opportunity to push for a democratic transition. How the next few days unfold will be crucial in defining the course of the country, which has already been facing a severe economic and humanitarian crisis for years.