Early on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces executed a large-scale operation in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face U.S. charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. President Donald Trump announced the action via Truth Social, stating the U.S. will temporarily run Venezuela to ensure a stable transition. The move has sparked sharp divisions, with Democrats decrying it as unconstitutional and Republicans praising it as decisive.
The operation, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved 150 aircraft and months of planning by U.S. special forces, intelligence agencies including the CIA and NSA, and law enforcement. It culminated in a raid on Maduro's compound in downtown Caracas, where he and Flores were seized without fatalities, though some U.S. personnel sustained minor injuries. Maduro, his wife, and their son now face indictment in the Southern District of New York for charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Attorney General Pam Bondi declared they will "face the full wrath of American justice on American soil."
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump defended the strikes as aligning with his "America First" policy, emphasizing stability, energy security, and combating drug trafficking. He revealed plans for U.S. oil companies to invest billions in Venezuela's infrastructure, with proceeds benefiting both the country and reimbursing U.S. damages. Trump stated, "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," and noted talks with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who reportedly agreed to cooperate. He dismissed opposition leader María Corina Machado's potential leadership, saying she lacks respect in Venezuela.
The action bypassed congressional approval, drawing bipartisan criticism. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine called it "clearly illegal," vowing a Senate vote on a War Powers Resolution. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned the drug motive, citing Trump's recent pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, convicted of cocaine trafficking. Republicans like Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised it as an "important first step" against Maduro's crimes.
World reactions were mixed: Brazil, Cuba, Russia, China, and Mexico condemned the sovereignty violation, while Argentina and Ecuador supported it as a blow to narcoterrorism. Venezuelan opposition figure Machado hailed it as the "hour of liberty," urging recognition of the 2024 election results favoring Edmundo González. Experts warn of potential power vacuums and regional instability, echoing past U.S. interventions in Latin America.
