U.S. Military Captures Venezuelan President Maduro in Raid, Announces Plan to "Manage" Venezuela's Transition

In a pre-dawn military operation on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces raided Caracas, Venezuela, and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. President Trump confirmed the action, stating U.S. troops attacked a "heavily fortified military fortress" in the capital and removed the couple from the country. Trump posted an image of a handcuffed Maduro on social media, claiming he was on a U.S. warship. The U.S. charges Maduro with engaging in "narcoterrorism" against America, and he will face trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Trump declared that the U.S. would form a task force to "manage" Venezuela until a "safe" transition can be implemented and that major U.S. oil companies would enter Venezuela for investment. The unprecedented raid, viewed as an assertion of an updated "Monroe Doctrine", followed failed U.S. pressure for Maduro's resignation. The military action has drawn condemnation from multiple governments and regional organizations.