United States President Donald J. Trump has claimed that American forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, the First Lady.
According to reports circulating from U.S.-based sources, Maduro was allegedly apprehended in the early hours of January 3, 2026, during an operation said to have been executed by the U.S. Army’s Delta Force, an elite counter-terrorism unit. The reports further claim that both Maduro and his wife were flown out of Venezuela shortly after their capture.
The United States has for years accused President Maduro of leading an international drug trafficking network—allegations he has consistently denied. Washington previously announced a reward of up to $50 million for information leading to his arrest and has, in the past, said it intercepted and destroyed vessels it described as narcotics carriers linked to Venezuelan networks.
Residents of Caracas reported loud explosions in parts of the capital during the alleged operation, with unconfirmed claims of casualties and injuries. As of the time of filing this report, there has been no independent verification of these claims, nor any official response from the Venezuelan government.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, President Trump wrote:
“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.
This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Observers say further clarity is expected following the announced news conference, as the international community awaits official confirmation and additional details on the reported operation.