In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former US President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has been captured and removed from his country by American forces.
Operation Confirmed: Strikes and Capture
Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, that the United States launched air strikes on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, earlier that morning. The operation involved Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters targeting key sites.
Following the strikes, Trump broke the news that President Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, had been taken into custody and flown out of Venezuela. He shared the announcement on his Truth Social platform, calling it a "successful" large-scale strike.
Social media videos appeared to show explosions at Venezuela’s Fuerte Tiuna military complex in western Caracas and at the La Carlota air base in the city centre. Widespread power outages were reported across multiple areas.
Months of Threats Culminate in Raid
The early morning raid followed months of threats from Trump, who had vowed action if Venezuela did not halt drug-smuggling boats headed towards the US. The US State Department had previously labelled Maduro the head of a "narco-terrorist state".
Military pressure had been intensifying since August, with increased US operational flights near the border and a bolstered naval presence. The Trump administration cited approximately three dozen boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Just this week, Trump declared a "total blockade" on US-sanctioned oil tankers travelling to and from Venezuela, despite reports that Maduro sought a deal with Trump as recently as Thursday.
International Reaction and Fallout
In response to the attack, the Venezuelan government urged supporters to mobilise in the streets, confirming strikes in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. It denounced the "imperialist attack" and stated Maduro had ordered all national defence plans activated, declaring "a state of external disturbance".
International concern was swift. Colombian President Gustavo Petra expressed "deep concern", while Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez strongly condemned the "cowardly" acts against a nation that had not attacked the US or any other country.
Trump, in a phone interview with The New York Times, hailed the plan as a "brilliant operation" involving "great, great troops". He declined to confirm if congressional authority was sought, stating he would address that at a news conference scheduled for 11am EST (4pm UK time) at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach.
