Explosions rocked Caracas in the early hours of January 3, 2026, as U.S. Forces carried out a raid that culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, confirmed by then-President Donald Trump, saw the couple flown out of Venezuela to face charges of involvement in narco-terrorism in a Recent York court, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The capture, described by one AP reporter as “a sort of operation you would expect in a Hollywood movie,” followed months of escalating pressure from the United States. Since September 2025, the U.S. Navy had amassed a substantial fleet off the Venezuelan coast, conducting airstrikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific and seizing Venezuelan oil tankers. In late November 2025, Trump had issued an ultimatum to Maduro, offering safe passage out of the country in exchange for relinquishing power.
While the U.S. Action was met with celebration by some Venezuelans who had fled the country during Maduro’s rule, the immediate aftermath has been characterized by uncertainty and division. Thirty days after the capture, Venezuela remained in turmoil, with citizens grappling with fears of further attacks and government repression, according to reporting from the Associated Press. Supporters of Maduro viewed his removal as a kidnapping, while opposition leaders cautiously re-emerged.
Delcy Rodriguez was appointed as acting President of Venezuela on January 14, 2026, appearing alongside Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez at a press conference. However, the transition of power has been far from seamless. Reports indicate pro-government armed civilians patrolling the streets in cities like La Guaira in the days following the capture, and demonstrations by supporters demanding Maduro’s return. Families of individuals believed to be detained for political reasons have also staged protests outside detention centers in Caracas.
The response within Spanish-language media has shifted from a focus on migration fatigue to a heightened sense of geopolitical fervor following Maduro’s capture. The event has sparked debate and analysis regarding the implications for regional stability and the future of U.S.-Venezuela relations. The oil-rich nation’s future remains unclear, with Maduro loyalists still holding key positions within the government. As of February 14, 2026, the White House has released a video appearing to show Maduro handcuffed and escorted by agents at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration offices, but no trial date has been set.
