U.S. Troops Detain Venezuelan Leader Maduro During Airstrikes in Caracas

In a historic and controversial operation, U.S. military forces launched “Operation Absolute Resolve” in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 3, 2026, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The mission commenced with extensive airstrikes involving over 150 aircraft, including advanced fighters such as F-22 Raptors and B-1B Lancer bombers, targeting military installations to neutralize Venezuela’s air defenses effectively. Following the air assaults, elite troops, reportedly from Delta Force, carried out a pre-dawn raid, capturing the couple and transporting them aboard the USS Iwo Jima for processing.

President Donald Trump confirmed the operation, stating the U.S. would oversee Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could occur. The U.S. intervention has drawn sharp criticisms internationally. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva labeled it an “unacceptable line,” while Mexican officials stressed Latin America’s commitment to peace and warned of regional instability. China expressed shock, criticizing the U.S. for its aggressive tactics, and France condemned the operation as a violation of international law, emphasizing that genuine political change cannot be imposed externally.

Reactions within Venezuela have been mixed. Some citizens protested Maduro’s capture as an affront to national sovereignty, while others, particularly in diaspora communities, viewed it as a hopeful turning point for the nation. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López condemned the U.S. intervention as “very serious military aggression” and declared a state of emergency.

This unprecedented action has intensified discussions about sovereignty, international law, and U.S. interventionism in Latin America, raising significant questions regarding Venezuela’s political future and the region’s stability.