WASHINGTON / CARACAS – January 3, 2026 — The United States carried out a large-scale military strike inside Venezuela early Saturday morning, and President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country, U.S. President Donald Trump announced. The operation represents a dramatic escalation of military pressure against Maduro’s government.
Sequence and nature of the operation
According to statements from the White House and U.S. officials:
- The operation took place in the early hours of January 3, with multiple explosions reported in Caracas and other parts of the country as U.S. aircraft and military assets struck key locations.
- Explosions and low-flying aircraft were observed over the Venezuelan capital, with witnesses reporting smoke rising from military installations including Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota airbase.
- The operation reportedly targeted strategic military and command centers as part of a coordinated campaign designed to undermine the Venezuelan government’s ability to resist.
Elite Special Forces lead the capture
U.S. officials speaking to CBS News confirmed that Maduro was captured by elite special operations troops — specifically the U.S. Army’s Delta Force — during the strikes. CBS News characterized Delta Force as the unit responsible for detaining Maduro and his wife before they were transported out of Venezuela.
Delta Force is known within the U.S. military as a tier-one special missions unit tasked with high-priority targets, including hostage rescue and direct action missions. The unit has previously been involved in high-profile operations such as the 2019 raid that resulted in the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Official claims and pending confirmation
President Trump stated via social media that the operation was carried out “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement,” and confirmed that Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country. A press conference was scheduled for later Saturday at Mar-a-Lago to provide additional operational details.
While these claims are widely reported by major media as statements from U.S. officials, independent, third-party verification of Maduro’s detention and current location has not yet been provided by neutral international observers. Venezuelan authorities have not confirmed the capture and have demanded “proof of life.”
Venezuelan government response
In response to the U.S. assault, the Venezuelan government condemned the attacks as “military aggression”, declaring a national emergency and mobilizing defensive forces. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded evidence of Maduro’s survival, underscoring that Caracas had not publicly verified his detention. Venezuelan officials described the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.
Regional and international context
The reported capture follows months of rising tensions between Washington and Caracas, including U.S. allegations that the Venezuelan government engages in drug trafficking and supports criminal networks. Prior to this incident, U.S. forces had built up military assets in the Caribbean and conducted a campaign of strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
International reactions are developing rapidly, with some governments calling for restraint and respect for international law, while others condemn the U.S. action outright. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered troops to the Venezuelan border, and discussions are underway among regional bodies regarding emergency responses.
