Two days after U.S. Delta Force commandos captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Operation Absolute Resolve, Maduro pleaded not guilty in New York federal court to 2020 narco-terrorism charges, calling it a kidnapping. With Maduro's regime continuing under interim President Delcy Rodríguez amid a U.S. oil quarantine, Trump touted the action under a new 'Donroe Doctrine' for hemispheric security, sparking celebrations abroad, congressional backlash, and market surges.
The raid occurred early Saturday, January 4, 2026, at Maduro's Caracas compound, resulting in dozens killed during the extraction. Indicted for leading the 'Cartel of the Suns'—linked to family members like Diosdado Cabello and groups including FARC, ELN, and Mexican cartels—Maduro was swiftly extradited. Speaking from Air Force One, President Trump praised the operation as a strike against a regime trafficking cocaine and exploiting oil reserves, vowing U.S. oversight to 'run it, fix it' and lower energy prices. Secretary of State Marco Rubio framed it as a law enforcement warrant service, citing exigent circumstances to bypass Congress.
Bipartisan criticism mounted over the lack of notification to the Gang of Eight. Democrats, including Sen. Chuck Schumer, decried it as 'lawlessness' and sought a war powers resolution; Rep. Jim Himes highlighted absent transition plans. Republicans largely supported it, buoyed by pre-raid polls.
Venezuelan diaspora celebrated in Miami and beyond, relieved after years of socialist-induced collapse in the oil-rich nation. Energy stocks rose, with Chevron gaining 5.8% on hopes of U.S. access to reserves, despite sanctioned tankers evading the embargo. Interim leader Rodríguez called for cooperative development.
Legal experts invoke UN Charter violations and parallels to the 1989 Panama invasion, questioning congressional authorization. Trump rejected comparisons, emphasizing U.S. successes. Stability depends on transitions, possibly elections, amid risks to neighbors like Mexico and Cuba.
