U.S. Raid Captures Maduro, Installs Interim President as Oil Shipments Resume
Updated (2 articles)
U.S. Raid Seizes Maduro and Flores U.S. Delta Force operators stormed Maduro’s Caracas residence at 02:01 local time, capturing the president and First Lady Cilia Flores. The pair were airlifted to the USS Iwo Jima, then to Stewart Air National Guard Base and finally to a Brooklyn federal detention center. Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York indicted both on conspiracy to commit narco‑terrorism, cocaine import and weapons‑related charges. Flores entered a not‑guilty plea while Maduro, describing the operation as a kidnapping, maintains his claim to the presidency. [1][2]
Delcy Rodríguez Assumes Interim Presidency Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice‑president, was sworn in by the Supreme Court as interim president within hours of the raid. She framed the new government as autonomous yet open to dialogue with Washington, proposing a commission to negotiate Maduro’s release. Her brother, National Assembly speaker Jorge Rodríguez, pledged to pursue every avenue to bring Maduro back, emphasizing continuity of the ruling party. [1][2]
World Powers Condemn or Caution Russia labeled the U.S. action as armed aggression, while China called for Maduro’s immediate release and Iran denounced it as a flagrant breach of sovereignty. The European Union, United Nations and several Latin American states urged an inclusive, lawful transition and warned against regional destabilization. Analysts noted the clash raises complex questions of international law and the legitimacy of external intervention. [1][2]
Sanctioned Oil Tankers Resume Exports In the wake of the capture, at least sixteen oil tankers under U.S. sanctions departed Venezuelan ports, four heading north with crude or refined products. The shipments proceeded despite the blockade, illustrating how Venezuela’s oil flow adapts to punitive measures. Market reactions were modest, with gold and other safe‑haven assets rising while oil prices fluctuated amid uncertainty. [1]
Trump Announces Oil‑Driven Reconstruction Plan President Trump announced that the United States would play a role in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector and channeling resource wealth abroad. He suggested a future “group‑led” governance structure and warned he was not afraid of deploying troops if necessary. The statements linked the raid to broader strategic interests in the region’s energy assets. [2]
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
The Hindu: Maduro captured in U.S. raid; Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as interim president amid Venezuela tensions: Details the Caracas raid, transport of Maduro and Flores to New York, their narco‑terrorism charges, Delcy Rodríguez’s swearing‑in, oil tanker departures, and global market response.
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[2]
BBC: US captures Maduro in Caracas operation as interim Venezuela government takes shape amid global reaction: Focuses on raid logistics, indictment specifics, Trump’s oil reconstruction promises, and condemnations from Russia, China, and Iran.
Timeline
Jan 3, 2026 02:01 local time – U.S. Delta Force operators storm Nicolás Maduro’s Caracas residence and capture the president and First Lady Cilia Flores in a pre‑dawn raid, using a CIA tip to locate the target. [1]
Jan 3, 2026 – The captured duo board a large airlift, first landing on the USS Iwo Jima, then transferring to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York before being moved to a Brooklyn federal detention facility. [1]
Jan 3, 2026 – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York indict Maduro and Flores on conspiracy to commit narco‑terrorism, cocaine import and related weapons charges, launching a high‑profile criminal case in U.S. courts. [1]
Jan 3, 2026 – Venezuela’s Supreme Court swears in Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president; she declares the nation ready to defend its government against external interference. [1]
Jan 3, 2026 – President Donald Trump pledges U.S. involvement in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil industry, promising to “extract wealth from the ground” and hinting at a future “group‑led” governance structure, while stating he is not afraid of boots on the ground. [1]
Jan 3, 2026 – Russia condemns the raid as armed aggression; China urges Maduro’s release; Iran calls the operation a flagrant violation of sovereignty; the EU, UN and several Latin American neighbors call for respect for international law and regional stability. [1]
Jan 5, 2026 – Maduro publicly asserts he was kidnapped, maintains his claim to the presidency and denounces the U.S. operation as illegal. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – Cilia Flores enters a not‑guilty plea to the narcoterrorism indictment, signaling a contested legal battle in New York. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – Interim President Delcy Rodríguez invites dialogue with President Trump, announces a commission to pursue Maduro’s release and outlines a legislative roadmap for Venezuela’s transition. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez, Delcy’s brother, vows to explore every avenue to bring Maduro back, framing the effort as restoring legitimacy and continuity. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – At least 16 sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers leave port, four heading north, showing that crude shipments resume under the existing sanctions regime. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – Global financial markets shift toward safe‑haven assets; gold prices rise and oil prices wobble, while the UN calls for an orderly transition and the EU urges inclusive dialogue on Venezuela’s future. [2]