US Strikes Lead to Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

Sun Jan 04 2026 12:38:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

After a series of explosive strikes in Caracas, US President Donald Trump has confirmed the capture of Nicolás Maduro amid escalating tensions between the two nations. Details of the military operation remain murky as Venezuela's government demands proof of life.

US military strikes on Venezuela culminated in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, as confirmed by President Trump. The strikes targeted military facilities in Caracas, leading to a national emergency declared by the Venezuelan government. Simultaneously, it accused the US of military aggression, seeking immediate proof of the president's safety.

US Strikes Lead to Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

In a dramatic turn of events, US President Donald Trump has announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following a series of large-scale military strikes across Venezuela. The operation, which was executed in coordination with US law enforcement, has raised significant tensions between the two nations, prompting Venezuela to declare a national emergency.

Early reports indicated that explosions rocked Caracas, including strikes at military bases such as Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota, causing panic and widespread power outages. Venezuelan officials have demanded immediate verification of Maduro's well-being, as the whereabouts of both him and his wife, Cilia Flores, remained unclear.

The strikes are part of a broader conflict, as the US has accused Maduro of drug trafficking and leading a corrupt regime. The Venezuelan government has retaliated, accusing the US of aggression aimed at seizing their natural resources.

Details on Maduro's Capture

As the chaos unfolded, details about the actual capture of Maduro have been scant. Reports suggest that the covert operation was undertaken by the elite Delta Force unit of the US military. President Trump is expected to address the nation from Mar-a-Lago, Florida, offering more information regarding the operation.

Reactions from Venezuela

Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the attacks, stating that her government did not know the status of Maduro and demanded tangible proof of life from the US. Additionally, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López claimed that military operations targeted civilian areas and indicated that Venezuela would resist any foreign military presence.

Trump's Statements

After the initial strikes, the White House initially refrained from comments, but President Trump later took to his social media platform to confirm the operations and the capture of Maduro. He characterized the move as a necessary step against a leader with a history of drug conflicts.

The Background of Nicolás Maduro

Maduro rose to power following the death of Hugo Chávez in 2013 and has since faced fierce resistance domestically and internationally. The US has long criticized Maduro's government as illegitimate, especially following contested elections in 2024. The situation has escalated with the influx of Venezuelan migrants into the US, prompting further diplomatic conflicts.

As tensions continue to rise, manylook on with bated breath to see how the situation in Venezuela will unfold and how the international community will respond.