In a dramatic pre-dawn operation, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a rapid, large-scale strike on Caracas. The pair were swiftly flown out of the country, marking one of the most audacious U.S. military actions in the Western Hemisphere in decades.
President Donald Trump announced the successful mission on Truth Social and later offered vivid details in media interviews, revealing he watched the operation unfold live.
Speaking to Fox News from Mar-a-Lago, Trump praised the elite Delta Force unit that carried out the raid:
Trump highlighted the precision and overwhelming force of the mission, saying U.S. troops breached reinforced steel doors within seconds and completed the operation in under 30 minutes. No American fatalities were reported, with only minor injuries sustained.
The capture follows years of mounting U.S. pressure on Maduro’s regime. Maduro was first indicted in 2020, with charges later expanded to include narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine trafficking, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that both Maduro and Flores will be prosecuted in New York, pledging they will face “the full wrath of American justice.”
Global reaction has been swift and divided. Venezuelan opposition leaders celebrated the move, while regime officials demanded proof of life. International responses have ranged from sharp condemnation over sovereignty concerns to quiet approval from governments long alarmed by Maduro’s alleged ties to drug trafficking networks.
The operation marks a stunning opening to 2026 for the Trump administration and signals a hardline stance against what it labels narco-states in the Western Hemisphere. Additional details are expected at today’s White House press briefing.
What do you think — justified action, or a dangerous new precedent? Join the discussion below.
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