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U.S. Forces Capture Maduro, Fly Him to New York; Acting President Named Amid Global Outcry

Updated (3 articles)

U.S. troops seize Venezuela’s leader and first lady in Caracas Special operations teams entered the capital, detained Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, and extracted them to a U.S. warship before flying the pair to New York, where they were transferred to a Brooklyn detention facility [1][2][3]. Explosions rocked the city during the raid, and residents reported smoke and power outages at nearby facilities [1]. Trump announced the “large‑scale strike” on Truth Social and promised a news conference [2][3].

Federal indictment lists narco‑terrorism and weapons charges Attorney General Pam Bondi unsealed an indictment in the Southern District of New York charging Maduro and Flores with Narco‑Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices [1][2][3]. The indictment cites a multi‑year investigation linking the regime to international drug trafficking and illicit arms [1][2][3]. Bondi warned the duo will face “the full wrath of American justice” on U.S. soil [2].

Venezuelan authorities appoint Delcy Rodríguez as acting president The Supreme Court declared Maduro temporarily unable to govern due to “foreign military aggression” and installed Vice President Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez as interim head of state to maintain administrative continuity [1]. Rodríguez publicly demanded proof of life and insisted the government does not know the leaders’ whereabouts [2][3]. A state of emergency was declared, and Caribbean airspace restrictions were lifted after midnight [1].

International bodies condemn the raid and demand clarification An emergency UN Security Council meeting was scheduled to address the U.S. operation, with several members calling for respect of international law [1]. Russia’s Foreign Ministry labeled the act “armed aggression” and urged immediate clarification, warning that Latin America must remain a zone of peace [3]. Washington critics, including Senator Andy Kim, argued the strike bypassed the constitutionally required congressional approval for armed conflict [2].

Domestic U.S. debate focuses on legality and political messaging Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau hailed the capture as a “new dawn” for Venezuela on X, while Trump described the mission as “brilliant” in a phone interview with the New York Times [2]. Lawmakers questioned the administration’s authority to conduct the raid without a formal war declaration [2]. The controversy underscores a split between executive enthusiasm and legislative concern over executive war powers [2].

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Timeline

Jan 3, 2026 – The United States launches a large‑scale strike on Caracas, igniting “explosions” that rock the capital, set a hangar ablaze and cause a power outage. Residents hear aircraft and blasts as the operation unfolds[2].

Jan 3, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that “Maduro captured and flown out of Venezuela,” framing the raid as the climax of a months‑long pressure campaign against the regime[3].

Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces that Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores are indicted in the Southern District of New York on “Narco‑Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices,” promising they will “face the full wrath of American justice on American soil”[3].

Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. forces capture Maduro and Flores in Caracas, load them onto a warship and transport them toward New York, where a plane lands with the former president on board[2].

Jan 3, 2026 – Upon arrival in New York, Maduro is moved to a convoy bound for a Brooklyn detention facility, preparing him for prosecution in the United States[2].

Jan 3, 2026 – Venezuela’s Supreme Court rules that Maduro is “temporarily unable to perform his duties” because of foreign military aggression and appoints Vice President Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez as acting president to ensure “administrative continuity and national defense”[2].

Jan 3, 2026 – Vice President Delcy Rodríguez publicly states that the government “does not know the whereabouts of Maduro or First Lady Cilia Flores,” demands proof of life and notes casualties from the attack[1].

Jan 3, 2026 – Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau tweets that “Maduro is gone” and celebrates a “new dawn for Venezuela,” implying the regime’s downfall and forthcoming U.S.‑backed justice[3].

Jan 3, 2026 – The Russian Foreign Ministry condemns the operation as “armed aggression,” calls for immediate clarification and asserts that “Latin America should remain a zone of peace,” while noting no confirmed Russian casualties[1].

Jan 3, 2026 – Senator Andy Kim criticizes the strike, saying the administration “bypassed the constitutionally required approval process for armed conflict” and misled Congress about the operation[3].

Jan 4, 2026 – The United Nations Security Council schedules an emergency meeting to discuss the U.S. capture of Maduro, with international leaders urging respect for international law and the UN Charter[2].

Jan 4, 2026 – Caribbean airspace restrictions imposed during the strikes are lifted, and airlines resume flights, ending the holiday‑travel disruption caused by the operation[2].

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