US Strikes Venezuela: How Maduro Was Captured After ‘Large-Scale’ Military Operation

 US Strikes Venezuela: How Maduro Was Captured After ‘Large-Scale’ Military Operation

In an unprecedented and dramatic escalation of US-Venezuela hostilities, President Donald Trump said that the US would launch a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela early on January 3, 2026, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, defined by the US as a coordinated military action with law enforcement backing, marks a significant shift in US foreign policy and military involvement in Latin America.

What happened: Large-scale military strikes.

According to US sources, the assault consisted of a series of coordinated operations against vital Venezuelan infrastructure, such as military stations and defence positions in and around Caracas, the capital. Explosions were reported shortly after midnight, with many low-flying aircraft and bangs heard by city and surrounding people.

Trump said that the US had "successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and captured its leader," underlining that the operation was carried out "in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement." He later told a press conference that all Venezuelan military capabilities had been rendered ineffective and that US forces had performed precisely.

Capture of Maduro and his wife.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were apprehended and flown out of the country, Trump stated. According to early accounts, the apprehension was carried out by elite US teams that included special forces and law enforcement components. Maduro and Flores were reportedly transferred out of Venezuela to face existing US criminal accusations, including drug and firearms offences filed in a US court.

Trump's administration claims that Maduro's regime was responsible for widespread "narcoterrorism," including aiding large-scale drug trafficking activities that impacted the United States. According to the US indictment, Maduro and his close friends used their official power to protect and benefit from cocaine distribution networks.

Operation at a Glance

Date and Time: Early morning on January 3, 2026.

Location: Caracas and other critical places in northern Venezuela.

Operation Name: Frequently referred to in media reports as a large-scale US military action.

The primary goal is to neutralize military defences and capture Maduro and senior regime leaders.

Result: Maduro and his wife taken into US custody and flown out of Venezuela.

Casualties: The Venezuelan government reported military and civilian deaths, whereas the United States acknowledged wounded but no confirmed fatalities.

During the brief assault, which reportedly lasted around 30 minutes, the strikes hit multiple military targets, including airbases and command centres, with the goal of crippling Venezuela's ability to respond to the US move.

Venezuelan Government Reaction:

The Venezuelan government denounced the strikes as an "imperialist attack" and a breach of national sovereignty. Following the US declaration, officials urged civilians to oppose the assault and sought proof of Maduro's and Flores' lives. In an interview with Venezuelan official media, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez expressed opposition to the US intervention.

According to Venezuelan constitutional law, if Maduro resigned, Rodríguez would take over as president. However, her words contradicted US claims of Maduro's abduction.

International Reactions

The US intervention elicited diverse global responses:

Brazil condemned the strikes as a severe infringement of sovereignty and urged respect for regional peace.

China sharply condemned the actions as a violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.

Against the backdrop of the extraordinary move, the United Kingdom and others advocated the maintenance of international legal norms.

Some countries welcomed the US approach, citing it as a necessary response to alleged corruption and criminal government, while others expressed worries about its legitimacy and ramifications for world security.

What This Means Moving Forward

Trump suggested that the US may temporarily run Venezuela until a "safe, proper, and judicious transition" can be established. He also stated intentions for US oil corporations to help with the restoration and growth of Venezuela's oil infrastructure, which is a significant global energy source.

However, the operation has aroused intense debate over international law, sovereignty, and the use of military force without prior authorization or widespread multilateral support. Critics worry that such activities risk setting a hazardous precedent for future foreign interventions.

Conclusion

The United States' airstrike on Venezuela and subsequent detention of President Nicolás Maduro are among the most significant and contentious international military acts of the early twenty-first century. With implications for US-Latin America relations, global diplomacy, and interpretations of international law, this incident is likely to be a major narrative in world events in 2026 and beyond.