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In a surprising development on Saturday morning, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been “captured and flown out of the country.” The announcement comes on the heels of several explosions that rocked the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
In a statement shared via Truth Social, President Trump announced, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.” He promised more information would be shared during a press conference scheduled for later today at Mar-a-Lago.
The news of Maduro’s capture follows a series of what appeared to be airstrikes targeting various locations in Caracas and across different regions of Venezuela. These events have captured international attention and raised questions about the future of Venezuela’s political landscape.
The announcement was echoed by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who shared President Trump’s statement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Nicolás Maduro, who has long held power in Venezuela through a series of disputed presidential elections, is currently wanted by U.S. authorities on numerous narco-terrorism charges. The United States has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Members of the presidential guard stand outside the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
In 2020, U.S. courts formally accused Maduro of being a central figure in the Cartel of the Suns, an international cocaine trafficking syndicate. This cartel, allegedly orchestrated by high-ranking members of the Venezuelan regime, aimed to “flood” the United States with cocaine as a strategy to undermine American society.
The Venezuelan socialist regime has not publicly commented on President Trump’s announcement at press time. The Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional reported that large swatches of Caracas remain without power as of early Saturday morning — with dozens of residents evacuating Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s main military complex.
For years, Fuerte Tiuna was believed to house Nicolás Maduro’s personal bunker, among other important facilities of the rogue regime. El Nacional also stated that La Carlota, Venezuela’s main military airport, was hit by the strikes.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López — who is also wanted by the U.S. on drug trafficking charges — addressed the nation moments after the strikes through a video posted on Instagram, denouncing them as an “invasion” representing “the greatest outrage suffered by Venezuela.”
Padrino López rejected the narco-terrorism accusations and claimed that the strikes are part of a “regime change” operation to “submit” Venezuela to the “American Empire.” The video was published moments before President Trump’s announcement.
“Desperation is the invader’s ally. Let us avoid chaos and anarchy. They have attacked us, but they will not break us. We will prevail,” Padrino López said, calling for the international community to rally around Venezuela and condemn the United States.
