In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through international politics, former United States President Donald J. Trump has announced the successful capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Operation in Caracas and Trump's Announcement
The dramatic event unfolded on the night of Friday, January 3rd, 2026, in Venezuela's capital city of Caracas. According to statements from the Venezuelan government and various media reports, the United States launched military operations against the South American nation overnight.
Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare the mission a success. He stated that the U.S. "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." Trump emphasized that "This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement."
Escalating Military Buildup and Campaign
This bold action did not occur in a vacuum. It was preceded by a significant and visible escalation of American military power in the Caribbean region. For months, repeated threats had been issued by Trump against the government of Venezuela and President Maduro personally.
The U.S. military campaign in the region had been widening since early September. Initial actions involved attacks on vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking in both the Caribbean and Pacific waters. The campaign intensified sharply in late December with the seizure of oil tankers traveling to and from Venezuelan ports.
A formidable American naval force assembled in the southern Caribbean, signaling a major escalation. This fleet included guided missile destroyers, a missile cruiser, and a Marine Corps amphibious ready group deployed on Navy landing ships. Adding to the show of force, the USS Gerald R. Ford, recognized as the world's largest aircraft carrier, was deployed to the region in the preceding months.
Implications and Immediate Aftermath
The capture of a sitting head of state by another nation's military is an event of profound geopolitical consequence. The operation, resulting in President Maduro and the First Lady being flown out of Venezuela, marks a dramatic and unprecedented moment in recent hemispheric relations.
The explosions reported in Caracas coincide directly with this high-stakes military action. The situation creates immediate uncertainty regarding the political future of Venezuela and the stability of the entire region. The world now watches closely for Venezuela's response, the reaction of international bodies, and the next steps from the United States following this extraordinary operation.
