On January 3, 2026, the United States military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.

History · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Operation Absolute Resolve saw US forces launch a surprise strike on Venezuela, resulting in the apprehension of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, which bypassed Congressional notification, aimed to secure oil interests and address long-standing drug trafficking allegations, fundamentally altering the governance of the South American nation.

The operation began at approximately 2 a.m. local time on 3 January 2026. US forces utilized 150 aircraft, including F-22A Raptors and F-35s, to bomb infrastructure and suppress air defenses across northern Venezuela. Delta Force soldiers, supported by FBI Hostage Rescue Team personnel, raided a fortified compound at Fort Tiuna to apprehend Maduro and Flores. The strike, which lasted thirty minutes, resulted in approximately 80 deaths, including members of the presidential guard and civilians, while seven American soldiers were wounded.

President Donald Trump justified the intervention as a law-enforcement action, citing inherent constitutional authority. Following the capture, Maduro and Flores were transported to New York City, where they were indicted on narco-terrorism and cocaine-trafficking conspiracy charges. Both pleaded not guilty during their 5 January arraignment. While the Venezuelan government remained intact with Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as acting president, the country has functioned as a de facto puppet state, with the US State Department under Marco Rubio exerting control over finances, government appointments, and natural resources.

A primary driver for the intervention was access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves. The Trump administration quickly negotiated a 50-million-barrel supply deal and lifted sanctions on oil trade. By February 2026, the US and Venezuela had restored diplomatic relations, and the US Embassy in Caracas reopened. Despite the political upheaval, the administration has collected over $13 billion in oil proceeds, using the revenue as leverage to stabilize the new government while navigating the legal complexities of Venezuela’s domestic energy framework.

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