United States Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Dramatic Military Operation

Breaking News ReportUnited States Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Dramatic Military OperationGood morning, this is Summer reporting on a special news report on the unprecedented events unfolding in Venezuela as of January 4, 2026.In a stunning development that has shaken the world, U.S. forces launched a large-scale military strike on Venezuela early on January 3, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. President Donald Trump announced the operation's success, stating that Maduro and Flores were "captured and flown out of the country" and are now in U.S. custody in New York, facing serious federal charges.The operation, codenamed "Absolute Resolve," began in the pre-dawn hours with precision airstrikes targeting military sites across northern Venezuela, including the country's largest military complex, Fuerte Tiuna, in Caracas. Explosions rocked the capital around 2 a.m. local time, causing fires, power outages, and disruptions. Reports indicate at least 40 Venezuelan military personnel and civilians were killed, with two U.S. soldiers injured but no American fatalities.U.S. Special Forces, including Delta Force commandos, then conducted a swift raid on a presidential compound, capturing Maduro and Flores in an operation lasting just over two hours. The couple was first transported to a U.S. Navy ship offshore before being flown to New York. Photos and video released by U.S. authorities show a handcuffed Maduro being escorted by DEA agents upon arrival at Stewart Air National Guard Base and later transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Maduro is expected to appear in Manhattan federal court as soon as Monday on updated charges from a long-standing indictment, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and related offenses. Attorney General Pam Bondi unsealed a superseding indictment alleging Maduro's leadership of the "Cartel de los Soles," a criminal network accused of flooding the U.S. with tons of cocaine over decades.President Trump, speaking at a press conference from Mar-a-Lago, praised the mission as a "brilliant operation" and declared that the United States will temporarily "run" Venezuela to ensure a "safe, proper, and judicious transition." He emphasized revitalizing the country's vast oil reserves—the world's largest at over 300 billion barrels—stating that major American oil companies will invest billions to repair degraded infrastructure and "get the oil flowing again" for global markets. Trump indicated no immediate plans for large-scale ground troops but warned he would not hesitate if needed to stabilize the situation and prevent Maduro loyalists from regrouping.On the ground in Venezuela, the country has declared a national emergency. The Supreme Court has named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader, and she has issued defiant statements condemning the U.S. action as "aggression" while calling for resistance. State media broadcasts pro-Maduro rallies, and armed civilian groups known as colectivos are patrolling streets in Caracas, which remain tense but relatively calm so far. Borders have been temporarily closed, and power outages continue to affect daily life amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.The opposition, including Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado and exiled leader Edmundo González Urrutia—widely regarded as the legitimate winner of the disputed 2024 election—has called for the military to support a democratic transition.International reactions are sharply divided. Russia, China, Cuba, Iran, Mexico, Brazil, and many others have condemned the operation as a violation of sovereignty and international law, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres calling it a "dangerous precedent" and scheduling an emergency Security Council meeting. Celebrations have erupted among Venezuelan diaspora communities in Miami, Santiago, and elsewhere, while anti-U.S. protests have occurred in cities like Paris and New York.This marks the most direct U.S. intervention in Latin America since the 1989 Panama invasion, raising questions about legality, regional stability, and long-term implications for oil markets and global relations.The situation remains highly fluid, with risks of resistance from Maduro supporters or broader instability. We'll continue to monitor developments closely.This has been your special report on the crisis in Venezuela. Stay tuned for updates.  Update report on the Captures Maduro in Venezuela StrikeEarly January 3, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on military targets in Caracas and elsewhere, followed by a special forces raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were flown to New York, where Maduro faces federal narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons charges from an updated indictment.President Trump announced the operation's success, stating the U.S. will temporarily "run" Venezuela for a "safe, proper, and judicious transition." He highlighted plans to revitalize the country's vast oil reserves with American companies investing billions to restore infrastructure.In Venezuela, a national emergency was declared. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has been named interim leader, condemning the action as aggression. Streets in Caracas are tense but calm, with pro-Maduro rallies and armed patrols.The opposition, including María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, calls for a democratic transition.Global reactions are divided: Strong condemnations from Russia, China, Cuba, Iran, and many Latin American nations as a sovereignty violation. The UN Secretary-General called it a "dangerous precedent," with a Security Council meeting scheduled. Celebrations among Venezuelan diaspora; protests elsewhere.The situation is fluid, with risks of instability. Maduro is detained in Brooklyn ahead of a court appearance.We'll keep monitoring this developing story. Stay tuned.Details on the U.S. Airstrikes in Venezuela -Operation Absolute Resolve, January 3, 2026The U.S. military operation began in the early hours of January 3, 2026, around 2:00 a.m. local time in Venezuela, as part of a broader mission to capture President Nicolás Maduro.Key elements of the airstrikes:Scale and assets: Involved over 150 U.S. aircraft, including fighter jets, electronic warfare planes, armed Reaper drones, refueling tankers, and helicopters. The operation was supported by a regional buildup, including the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier group.Primary objectives: Precision strikes targeted Venezuelan air defenses, military installations, and infrastructure to suppress resistance and clear paths for special forces helicopters to enter Caracas.Main targets struck: Fuerte Tiuna: Venezuela's largest military complex in Caracas; fires and explosions reported, with significant damage visible. La Carlota military airbase: In central Caracas; charred anti-aircraft vehicles and runway fires observed. La Guaira port: Damage to facilities, including a dock area allegedly linked to drug trafficking. Other sites: Higuerote Airport, additional military bases, and reported strikes near ports and an apartment complex (causing civilian casualties). Duration: The airstrikes and overall raid lasted approximately 2-4 hours, enabling a swift sp...