U.S. Captures Venezuelan President Maduro in Bold Military Operation Amid Global Outcry

POTUS TRUMP monitored the operation from a Florida location, for now there is no detail roadmap for Venezuela - Trump to address Nation from Mar-A-Lago

Washington, D.C. – January 3, 2026** – In a stunning escalation of tensions between the United States and Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced early this morning that U.S. forces had conducted a “large-scale strike” on Venezuelan targets, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, described by Trump as a decisive blow against “narco-terrorism,” has ignited international condemnation, domestic debate, and questions about its legality under global norms. As the world reacts, Venezuela’s future hangs in the balance, with power vacuums and potential instability looming.

The Capture Operation: Delta Force and DEA Lead the Charge

The raid unfolded in the pre-dawn hours of January 3, with elite U.S. Army Delta Force operatives spearheading the mission to apprehend Maduro. Supported by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the operation targeted Maduro’s heavily fortified residence in Caracas, described by Trump as “like a fortress.” U.S. officials confirmed that Delta Force, the same unit responsible for high-profile captures like the 2019 killing of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, executed the extraction with precision, suffering no fatalities but a few injuries.

This action is part of the broader Operation Southern Spear, a U.S. campaign initiated in late 2025 to dismantle alleged drug trafficking networks linked to Maduro’s regime. Maduro, indicted in New York on narco-terrorism charges since 2020, was reportedly flown out of the country aboard a U.S. military vessel, possibly the USS Iwo Jima, where he awaits trial in the U.S. Witnesses in Caracas reported explosions, low-flying jets, and helicopter assaults, marking a dramatic shift from prior U.S. tactics of sanctions and naval quarantines to direct kinetic action.

Internal Response: VP Delcy Rodríguez Demands ‘Proof of Life’

In the immediate aftermath, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez emerged as the acting leader, condemning the operation as a “kidnapping” and demanding immediate “proof of life” for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Her statements were broadcast on state television, and she reportedly spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who expressed Moscow’s solidarity.

However, Rodríguez’s exact whereabouts remain unclear and a point of contention. Multiple Western media outlets, including Reuters (citing four anonymous sources familiar with her movements), reported that she was in Russia at the time of the raid. In contrast, the Russian Foreign Ministry explicitly dismissed these claims as “fake” disinformation, asserting that Rodríguez is in Venezuela. Russian state-aligned sources, including Pravda, emphasized the Lavrov call as evidence she remains engaged from within the country. No independent confirmation or visual evidence of her location has emerged amid the chaos.

Maduro had declared a national emergency prior to the operation, mobilizing defense forces, but resistance appears minimal, with reports of street fighting in Caracas quickly subdued. Opposition leader María Corina Machado’s spokesperson offered no immediate comment, suggesting a wait-and-see approach amid the chaos.

Responses from Russia and China: Condemnation and Calls for Restraint

The operation has drawn sharp rebukes from Venezuela’s key allies. Russia’s Foreign Ministry labeled it an “act of armed aggression,” expressing deep concern and pledging solidarity with Caracas while offering to mediate. Moscow urged restraint to avoid further escalation, reaffirming Venezuela’s right to self-determination. Similarly, China condemned the strikes, with state media highlighting them as a violation of sovereignty and drawing parallels to past U.S. interventions. Both nations, which have provided economic and military support to Maduro’s regime, warned of broader international ramifications.

Iran and Hezbollah also voiced outrage, with Tehran calling it a “serious affront” to global norms. In contrast, some Latin American neighbors like Brazil condemned the action as a “dangerous precedent,” while Argentina expressed muted approval.

Movements in the UN Security Council: Emergency Session Called

Venezuela swiftly requested an urgent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting to address the U.S. strikes, accusing Washington of “imperialist aggression” and attempting to impose a “colonial war.” Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto rejected the attacks and called on the international community to denounce them. UN experts have already condemned prior U.S. actions like the naval blockade as violations of international law, labeling them “illegal armed aggression.” The session could amplify calls for de-escalation, though U.S. veto power may limit any binding resolutions.

Legality Under International Law: A Contentious Violation?

Legal experts widely view the operation as unlawful under international law. The strikes and capture infringe on Venezuela’s sovereignty, constituting an act of aggression without UNSC authorization or a clear self-defense justification. UN human rights experts have decried similar U.S. actions as breaching the 1974 UN General Assembly definition of aggression. While the U.S. frames it as law enforcement against drug trafficking, critics argue it lacks legal basis, especially without Venezuelan consent or an imminent threat. Trump dismissed such concerns, emphasizing the operation’s success and Maduro’s indictments.

Domestic Fallout in the USA: Political Division Emerges

At home, the operation has sparked bipartisan criticism, particularly from Democrats who label it “illegal and unauthorized.” Representative Jim Himes and others questioned the lack of congressional approval, echoing debates over past interventions. Legacy media and left-wing politicians have condemned the strikes, drawing parallels to Iraq. However, Trump supporters hail it as a win against drug cartels, with Vice President JD Vance advocating for seizing Venezuela’s “stolen oil.” Public opinion remains divided, with potential for protests if casualties mount or the conflict drags on.

As Trump prepares for an 11 a.m. ET press conference at Mar-a-Lago, the world watches closely. The capture of Maduro could end a decade of crisis in Venezuela but risks broader instability in Latin America.