President Donald J. Trump announced on January 3, 2026 that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro had been captured in Caracas during a joint U.S. military operation, dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve. The operation was carried out overnight by U.S. armed forces and special operations units from multiple branches, with support from intelligence agencies. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores de Maduro, were taken aboard the U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and will face U.S. criminal court proceedings based on a 2020 indictment on charges of narco‑terrorism and drug trafficking. No U.S. personnel were injured. Trump said the United States will oversee Venezuela until a legitimate replacement is identified and indicated willingness to work with the new Venezuelan leadership.
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Summary adapted from https://war.gov
https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4370431/trump-announces-us-militarys-capture-of-maduro/
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