US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, 3 January, that United States forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following what he described as a large-scale military operation against Venezuela. According to Trump, both Maduro and the First Lady were taken out of the country shortly after the operation concluded.

In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump said, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” confirming both the capture and the military strikes carried out by US forces.

The announcement followed a tense night in Caracas. Around 2 am local time, residents reported hearing multiple loud explosions along with the sound of aircraft flying at low altitude. Several parts of the capital experienced sudden power cuts, triggering panic among residents, many of whom rushed into the streets seeking safety. In response to the explosions, a national emergency was declared by President Maduro before his capture.

Soon after, Maduro accused the US government of carrying out military aggression against Venezuelan citizens and targeting military installations across several states. Venezuelan authorities issued a statement claiming that strategic locations in different parts of the country had been attacked by US forces.

These developments unfolded against a backdrop of rising tensions between Washington and Caracas. The strain in relations has been linked to allegations that Venezuelan boats were involved in smuggling narcotics through the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean. For several months, the US has been targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels, a campaign Trump has repeatedly described as a “war on drugs”.

The situation appeared even more sensitive due to reports that a high-level delegation of Chinese officials had been present in Caracas, meeting President Maduro just hours before the US strikes were reported. At the same time, the Trump administration is expected to face domestic criticism, as the military action was reportedly carried out without approval from the US Congress.

Trump later stated that he would address the developments in a press conference scheduled for the evening at Mar-a-Lago.

Following their capture, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were brought to New York City after an overnight US military operation on Saturday. Reports indicate that the couple were first taken to the headquarters of the Drug Enforcement Administration. They were later believed to have been transported by helicopter to the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn.

Meanwhile, Trump said that the United States would temporarily govern Venezuela until a transition of power takes place. Speaking at a press conference, he stated, “We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.”

Trump also shared an image showing Maduro aboard a US warship after his capture. In the photo, Maduro is seen wearing a tracksuit and is blindfolded. US officials confirmed that the Venezuelan leader was captured after the military carried out a “large-scale strike” and that he and his wife would face prosecution in New York.

Offering details on where the capture took place, Venezuela’s ruling party leader Nahum Fernandez said that Maduro and Flores were at their residence inside the Ft Tiuna military installation when US forces arrived. Describing the event, Fernandez said, “That's where they bombed… And, there, they carried out what we could call a kidnapping of the president and the first lady of the country,” as quoted by the Associated Press.

What Is Unfolding Inside Venezuela

With Nicolas Maduro no longer in office, Venezuela’s Supreme Court moved swiftly to address the leadership vacuum. On Saturday, the Constitutional Chamber ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the role of interim president.

According to the court ruling, Rodriguez would take over “the office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation.” The decision was presented as a temporary measure aimed at maintaining stability within the country.

How Opposition Leader Maria Corina Responded

Venezuela’s opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado reacted strongly to Maduro’s capture. She said the events followed the president’s refusal to “accept a negotiated exit.”

In a public statement, Machado said, “Today we are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power. Let us remain vigilant, active, and organized until the Democratic Transition is achieved — a transition that needs ALL of us.” Her remarks signaled a renewed push by the opposition to move toward a change in leadership.

US Military Action in Venezuela | Major Takeaways

1. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States would assume control of Venezuela until a power transition is completed. Repeating his position, he stated, “We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.”

2. India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid travel to Venezuela unless absolutely necessary. Indians currently in the country were advised to limit their movement and remain in close contact with the Indian Embassy in Caracas.

3. The United Nations expressed serious concern over the US military action. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “deeply alarmed” by the operation, which his spokesperson said sets “a dangerous precedent,” ahead of a likely UN Security Council meeting.

4. Venezuela and Colombia, with support from Russia and China, requested an emergency meeting of the 15-member UN Security Council, according to diplomats. At the time of reporting, the meeting had not yet been scheduled.

5. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil told Russia’s RIA state news agency that peace in Latin America had been disrupted by the US attack on Venezuela.

   ? US Secretary of State openly threatens Cuba: "If I lived in Havana, I’d be concerned." Venezuela already taken over for oil, now Cuba in line. Now you know why PM Modi said he’d pay a PERSONAL PRICE to protect Indian agriculture? ? pic.twitter.com/a1n4zWOXeX — The Analyzer (News Updates?️) (@Indian_Analyzer) January 4, 2026

US Strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Left Parties Condemn ‘Kidnapping’

India’s Left parties strongly denounced the US military action, condemning what they described as aggression and the “kidnapping of Venezuelan Dictator Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.” They called for nationwide protests in solidarity with the people of Latin America.

In a joint statement, the Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) described the US operation as a clear violation of the United Nations Charter.

The statement said, “The US President, Donald Trump, in his address, stated that they would capture the oil reserves of Venezuela, laying bare the real intentions behind this aggression. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, went a step further and warned that Cuba and Mexico would be their next target. These statements, coming days after the release of the US National Security Strategy 2025, make it clear that US imperialism seeks to impose its hegemony over the entire world, even if it means carrying out military attacks.”

How the US Tracked Maduro for Trump’s Operation

Details have emerged about how US forces monitored and captured President Nicolas Maduro. According to reports, a CIA source, a fleet of stealth drones, and months of “meticulous planning” were involved in what Trump described as a dramatic and unprecedented operation.

Trump addressed speculation about the explosions in Venezuela early Saturday by posting on Truth Social at 4:21 am, stating that the United States had conducted a bold operation and captured Maduro and his wife.

How Nicolas Maduro Was Taken Into Custody

The US military reportedly launched “Operation Absolute Resolve” to capture Nicolas Maduro. The operation involved elite US troops, including the Army’s Delta Force, who took about 30 minutes to detain the Venezuelan leader.

Maduro was reportedly dragged into custody as he attempted to flee toward a steel-reinforced safe room. US officials said that no American troops were killed during the operation.

US intelligence agents had reportedly been monitoring Maduro’s movements since August. Describing the surveillance, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine said, “How he moved, where he lived, where he traveled, what he ate, what he wore -- what were his pets.”

The mission involved months of “pinpoint” planning and rehearsals. Trump said US forces even built a replica of the house where Maduro was staying and that he watched the operation live. Speaking to Fox and Friends, Trump said, “I watched it, literally, like I was watching a television show.” He also described Maduro’s compound as “a fortress.”

Trump reiterated that the US would “run” Venezuela and make use of its vast oil reserves. He said he was “designating people” from his cabinet to oversee the country, though he did not provide further details.

Why the US Targeted Venezuela and Maduro

Donald Trump had for weeks warned of ground strikes against drug cartels operating in Venezuela. During this period, the US deployed a significant naval and aerial presence in the Caribbean, including its most advanced aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, along with other warships.

Trump accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel and said the operation was part of a broader crackdown on trafficking. He also cited illegal migration and Venezuela’s oil industry as key reasons behind the aggressive US policy.

The US and several European governments have refused to recognize Maduro’s legitimacy, alleging that he stole elections in 2018 and 2024. Maduro, who has been in power since 2013 after succeeding his mentor Hugo Chavez, has denied all involvement in narcotics trafficking. He has repeatedly claimed that the US is seeking to remove him because Venezuela holds the largest known oil reserves in the world.