Trump confirms US forces captured Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro after overnight military strikes

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced early on Saturday, January 3, that the United States carried out a large-scale overnight military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

Trump said that the pair were taken into custody and flown out of the country following coordinated strikes by US forces.

The announcement marked a dramatic escalation in US-Venezuela tensions. Venezuelan officials have disputed the claims and condemned the operation as an act of aggression.

US operation and claims of Nicolas Maduro's capture 

Trump said that the strikes began in the early hours of Saturday and described them as part of a coordinated effort involving the US military and law enforcement agencies.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”

He added, “This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow.”

Speaking later to The New York Times, Trump praised the mission, saying, “A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people. It was a brilliant operation, actually.”

The president is expected to address the nation at 11 am ET from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.

According to US officials, the operation followed a series of strikes targeting suspected sm**gling operations tied to the Venezuelan regime.

US military forces had previously carried out drone strikes on suspected vessels off Venezuela’s coast, and the CIA conducted a strike in late December on a dock inside Venezuela that officials said was used by cartels.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and Flores would face prosecution in the United States.

In a post on X, she wrote, "Nicolas Maduro has been charged with N**co-Te****ism Conspiracy, C***ine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States."

She continued, "They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

Bondi added, “On behalf of the entire US DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump… and our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission.”

Regional reaction and Venezuela's response

Venezuelan officials condemned the operation and disputed US claims.

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said that the government did not know the whereabouts of Maduro and Flores. “We demand proof of life,” she said.

Venezuelan state media reported that Maduro condemned what he called a “grave military aggression,” saying that the strikes violated the United Nations Charter.

“This is an attack against the sovereignty of Venezuela,” Maduro reportedly said, according to The Miami Herald.

The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency and ordered national defense plans to be implemented.

In a statement, it said, “The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals.”

The government added, “They will not succeed.”