In a stunning turn of events on January 3, 2026, the United States executed a large-scale military operation in Venezuela's capital, Caracas, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Explosions rocked the city, causing widespread power outages and deserted streets as elite US forces, including Delta Force, raided a fortified location where the couple was sleeping. The meticulously planned mission, supported by CIA intelligence and a covert team embedded in Venezuela since summer, unfolded without any US fatalities, though a helicopter was hit, injuring some personnel.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from Mar-a-Lago, sharing a photo of Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima with his eyes covered and headphones on, en route to New York to face long-standing narcoterrorism charges in federal court. Trump revealed he had spoken with Maduro just a week prior, offering "off-ramps" that were rejected, and emphasized that the US is now determining Venezuela's future governance to prevent a power vacuum. In a Fox News interview, he described watching the raid in real-time alongside military leaders.
The international fallout has been swift and divided. Venezuelan opposition leaders like María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia hailed the move, calling for a democratic transition and the release of political prisoners. However, Russia and China condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pledging solidarity and urging dialogue. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm over potential regional instability and breaches of international law.
Reactions on the ground in Venezuela are mixed: some residents hope for positive change amid economic turmoil, while others fear escalation into broader conflict. Venezuelans abroad, particularly in Florida and Chile, celebrated the news. US Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson, praised the operation as a necessary step against Maduro's regime.
This raid marks a dramatic escalation in US-Venezuela relations, potentially reshaping Latin American geopolitics. As the world watches, questions loom: Who will fill the leadership void? And what role will the US play in Venezuela's oil-rich future? Stay tuned to Truth Stream USA News for updates.
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