In a stunning global development, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday morning, January 3, 2026, that U.S. forces have successfully captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a massive military operation in the South American nation.
The announcement came via Truth Social approximately two hours after a series of heavy explosions began rocking the capital city of Caracas around 2:00 am local time.
“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,” Trump declared.
The strike, which reportedly involved the elite Army Delta Force, targeted key military installations including Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, and the Carlota airbase.
In a brief interview with The New York Times, the President praised the execution of the mission.
“It was a brilliant operation, actually. A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people,” Trump stated.
Residents in Caracas described a scene of chaos as low-flying aircraft and at least seven major blasts lit up the night sky. Power outages were reported in several districts as smoke billowed from military hangars.
While the Venezuelan government initially confirmed a state of “military aggression,” they did not immediately verify the capture of the President. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez later demanded “proof of life” for Maduro and his wife, stating their whereabouts were unknown.
The Venezuelan Ministry of Defense slammed the move as a violation of international law:“Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and people.”
The operation, part of what has been dubbed “Operation Southern Spear,” follows months of escalating pressure. The Trump administration has long accused Maduro of narco-terrorism, an allegation the Venezuelan leader has denied, claiming Washington’s true motive is to seize the country’s oil reserves.
Neighboring Colombia’s President, Gustavo Petro, has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations and deployed troops to the border in response to the volatility.
President Trump is scheduled to provide further details during a press conference at 11:00 am today at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.
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