On January 3, 2026, U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a high-stakes military operation in Caracas called Operation Absolute Resolve.
**The Operation
Execution:** Around 2:00 AM local time, elite Delta Force units, aided by the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team and supported by CIA intelligence, stormed Maduro's home at the Fuerte Tiuna military complex.
Scale:** The mission utilized over 150 aircraft and included strikes on various strategic targets, such as airbases and telecommunications towers, to neutralize Venezuelan air defenses.
Capture:** Maduro and Flores were taken and flown by helicopter to the USS Iwo Jima, from where they were transported to New York City.
Casualties:** While there were no U.S. casualties, Venezuelan officials reported approximately 24 security personnel were killed. The Cuban government indicated that 32 of its military and intelligence members perished while defending the complex.
**Legal Charges and Court Appearance**
*Indictment:** On January 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice unveiled a superseding indictment, accusing Maduro of narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, and illegal possession of weapons.
*Plea: During their initial court appearance in Manhattan on January 5, both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty. Maduro proclaimed himself a "prisoner of war" and asserted he was still the legitimate president of Venezuela.
*Detention:
Maduro is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits his trial.
*Aftermath and Global Reaction**
*Succession:** Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was inaugurated as interim president on January 5, 2026, with the support of the Venezuelan military.
U.S. Stance:
President Donald Trump initially declared that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela until a transition took place, although administration officials later clarified that the intention was not direct occupation.
International Response:
The operation has faced condemnation from Maduro's allies, including Russia, Cuba, and China, who argued it violated international law. Legal experts have also expressed concerns about head-of-state immunity and the legality of the operation under the UN Charter.
