The United States’ unprecedented military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro stunned governments and citizens around the world.
Early on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces conducted a coordinated strike on Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, with aerial and ground elements that culminated in Maduro and his wife.
Initial chaos and confusion were compounded by fast‑spreading videos on social media showing explosions, troop movements, and helicopters over Caracas — images that fueled conflicting interpretations as events unfolded.
Within hours, former President Donald Trump confirmed U.S. involvement in a post on Truth Social, announcing that Venezuelan leaders had been captured and flown out of the country in a joint operation conducted “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement.”
Trump also announced a press conference to elaborate on the circumstances and consequences of the raid.
Later that day, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi provided the first official details about the criminal charges now facing Maduro and his wife. In a statement issued through the U.S. Department of Justice and shared publicly, Bondi said that both Maduro and Flores had been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
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