Air Strikes - U.S. Military Captures Venezuelan President Maduro & Wife - Transports them to United States to Face Charges
SoCalNewswire - January 3, 2026 - 7:46 AM
In a dramatic escalation of the U.S. military's campaign against Venezuela, President Donald Trump confirmed in a 4:21 AM EST TruthSocial post that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured in a large-scale strike by U.S. forces early Saturday. According to Trump, the operation successfully transported Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, out of the country. Trump stated in the post that details were to follow, noting, “There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M. (EST), at Mar-a-Lago.”
Sources revealed that the U.S. Army's Delta Force, an elite special forces unit, led the mission. The strike marked the culmination of months of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, particularly over allegations that Maduro's government was involved in international drug trafficking and organized crime. Maduro, who has long denied these charges, was indicted by a U.S. federal court in 2020 on charges of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. The U.S. government had previously offered a $50 million bounty for information leading to his capture.
Following the strikes, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement at 4:25 AM EST asserting that Maduro and Flores would face criminal charges in the U.S. “They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” reads her @AGPamBondi post. Bondi emphasized that the actions were aimed at holding Maduro and his associates accountable for their involvement in narcotics trafficking and revealed that both were indicted in the Southern District of New York.
Maduro and Flores are reportedly being transported to New York, where they are expected to face trial in a Manhattan federal court. While the operation has drawn sharp condemnation from nations like Russia and Cuba, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have indicated that they anticipate no further kinetic action inside Venezuela now that the former leader is in custody. Senator Mike Lee posted on X that Rubio “anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody.”
As the world awaits further details, all eyes turn to Mar-a-Lago. President Trump is expected to provide updates during a scheduled media appearance.
The President’s press conference will be held today, January 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
iSpyVNY - PRESS CONFERENCE Update - Live News Conference on Capture of Venezuela President - Jan. 3, 2026 — Direct Quotes & Statements:
- President Donald Trump:
“The men and women of our military, working alongside U.S. law enforcement, successfully captured Maduro in the dead of the night”.
- General John Daniel “Razin” Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
“This operation, known as ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’, was discreet, precise and conducted during the darkest hours”
- General John Daniel “Razin” Caine:
"This particular mission required every component of our joint force with soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and guardians working in unison with our intelligence agency partners and law enforcement teammates in an unprecedented operation.”
- General John Daniel “Razin” Caine (statement):
The mission involved more than 150 aircraft—including F-22s, F-35s, F/A-18s, EA-18s, E-2s, B-1 bombers, helicopters, and drones.
- General John Daniel “Razin” Caine:
“Over the weeks through Christmas and New Year’s, the men and women of the U.S. military stood ready…Last night, the weather finally broke just enough.”
- General John Daniel “Razin” Caine - Timeline Outline:
- 10:46 p.m. EST on January 2, President Trump ordered the mission to commence;
- ~1:01 a.m. EST on January 3 (2:01 a.m. Caracas local time), military forces arrived at Maduro’s compound;
- 3:29 a.m. EST, American forces were airborne with Maduro and Flores on board, en route to the afloat launch pad, USS Iwo Jima, where they were transferred.
- President Donald Trump - describing Maduro and wife's crimes:
“their campaign of narco terrorism against the United States and its citizens.”
- General John Daniel “Razin” Caine:
“On arrival into the target area, the helicopters came under fire and they replied with overwhelming force in self-defense”
(Confirming one U.S. aircraft was hit but remained flyable)
- President Donald Trump & General John Daniel “Razin” Caine (statements):
All American aircraft and equipment returned without any loss of U.S. life.
- President Donald Trump:
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”