Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a dramatic escalation of military engagement in Latin America, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and removed from Venezuela following what he described as a “large-scale strike” by American forces early on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The announcement, made on Trump’s social media platform, comes amid reports of explosions in and around Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and has triggered intense global debate over legality, sovereignty, and regional stability.
In his statement, President Trump declared that the United States had “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro,” adding that Maduro and his wife “have been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country.” He said the operation was conducted “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement” and promised that further details would be released at a press conference scheduled later on Saturday.
The unprecedented announcement followed reports of at least seven explosions heard across Caracas before dawn, with eyewitnesses describing low-flying aircraft and visible plumes of smoke over the city and surrounding military installations. The Federal Aviation Administration also reportedly restricted U.S. commercial flights over Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity.
While U.S. officials have framed the operation as a decisive action tied to long-standing grievances involving allegations of corruption and illicit activity by the Maduro administration, the Venezuelan government has vehemently rejected the claims and demanded proof of life for its president and first lady. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said authorities had no confirmation of Maduro’s whereabouts and called on Washington to provide evidence of his condition and location.
The Venezuelan government has also characterized the U.S. military action as an “imperialist attack” and a violation of international law, asserting that both civilian and military infrastructure were targeted. Caracas declared a national state of emergency, mobilizing forces and urging citizens and political entities to unite against what it described as a foreign invasion.
News of the reported capture has sparked swift and varied reactions around the world. Colombia, sharing a lengthy border with Venezuela, deployed armed forces to its border territory amid fears of a mass refugee influx resulting from the conflict. President Gustavo Petro condemned the U.S. action as a violation of Venezuelan and Latin American sovereignty, calling for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council.
Responses from other countries have ranged from outright condemnation to cautious concern. Cuba and Iran denounced the strikes in the strongest terms, labeling them a breach of international norms, while Argentina’s leadership expressed support for the U.S. approach to addressing threats emanating from Venezuela’s internal instability. European governments indicated they were closely monitoring the situation and exploring diplomatic avenues to prevent further escalation.
Legal and constitutional questions have immediately surfaced within the United States. Several U.S. lawmakers have raised concerns that Trump’s actions lack explicit congressional authorization, potentially contravening established norms for the use of military force. Critics argue that bypassing legislative approval for such a significant overseas operation could set a troubling precedent for executive power and international conduct.
Furthermore, independent confirmation of Maduro’s capture and removal remains unverified by neutral observers or international organizations. Venezuelan authorities have insisted that their leadership structure remains intact until incontrovertible evidence is provided. The lack of independent verification of Maduro’s detention has added to global uncertainty and skepticism regarding the claims emerging from Washington.
The reported capture of a sitting head of state is extraordinary in the modern era and carries profound implications for regional geopolitics. Latin America, historically resistant to external military interventions since the mid-20th century, now faces the real possibility of prolonged instability. The crisis may deepen ideological divisions across the hemisphere, drawing in major global powers aligned with or opposed to the U.S. stance.
Analysts caution that the operation could catalyze a power vacuum in Caracas, potentially escalating factional conflict within Venezuela or prompting rapid realignment among military and political elites. Vice President Rodríguez’s demand for proof of life for Maduro underscores the high stakes and uncertainty surrounding governance continuity in the nation.
Beyond the political and military ramifications, there are serious humanitarian concerns. Explosions and military engagements in urban areas have raised fears of civilian casualties, displacement, and heightened insecurity for residents of Caracas and other affected regions. Reports of widespread panic among civilians early on Saturday reflect the immediate human impact of the strikes.
U.S. diplomatic channels have also issued advisories urging American citizens to shelter in place and avoid travel to Venezuela as the situation continues to unfold. The broader global community watches closely, with calls for de-escalation and respect for human rights echoing at international forums even as the crisis evolves.
With the situation still fluid, the world awaits further confirmation and clarification of the dramatic sequence of events reported on January 3. A news conference scheduled by President Trump later on Saturday is expected to offer additional details, including strategic rationale, legal justification, and next steps for U.S. policy. Governing authorities in Venezuela, regional governments, and global institutions are likely to weigh in further as more information becomes available.
The reported capture and removal of President Maduro, if verified, would represent a historic turning point in U.S.–Venezuela relations and have far-reaching consequences for international norms regarding sovereignty, military intervention, and executive authority.
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