US Captures Venezuelan President Maduro Amidst Controversial Military Intervention
Published 3 January 2026
Highlights
- US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a military operation in Caracas.
- President Trump announced plans for the US to "run" Venezuela and revitalize its oil industry, involving major US oil companies.
- Maduro and Flores face charges of narco-terrorism and weapons possession in the Southern District of New York.
- Venezuela's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been ordered to assume the role of acting president by the country's supreme court.
- The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting to address the US intervention in Venezuela.
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Rewritten Article
US Captures Venezuelan President Maduro Amidst Controversial Military Intervention
In a dramatic turn of events, US military forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a large-scale operation in Caracas. The pre-dawn assault, which took place on Saturday, has sparked international debate over US intervention in Venezuela's political affairs.
US Plans for Venezuela's Future
President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will oversee Venezuela until a "safe, proper, and judicious transition" can be ensured. Speaking at a press conference, Trump outlined plans for US oil companies to invest billions in repairing Venezuela's "broken infrastructure" and revitalize its oil industry, which holds approximately 303 billion barrels of crude. "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country," Trump stated.
Legal Proceedings Against Maduro and Flores
Following their capture, Maduro and Flores were transported to New York, where they face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and possession of machine guns. US Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that they would face "the full wrath of American justice" in US courts. Maduro has consistently denied allegations of cartel leadership, accusing the US of using its "war on drugs" as a pretext to seize Venezuela's oil reserves.
Political Reactions and International Concerns
In response to the US actions, Venezuela declared a state of national emergency. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been ordered by the country's supreme court to assume the role of acting president, reaffirmed Maduro as the nation's legitimate leader. Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the US military intervention, prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Implications for US-Venezuela Relations
The capture of Maduro marks a significant escalation in US-Venezuela relations, with potential implications for regional stability. Trump has indicated that the US will be "very strongly involved" in Venezuela's oil industry, a move that has drawn both support and criticism from international observers.
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Scenario Analysis
The US intervention in Venezuela raises critical questions about the future of the country's leadership and its vast oil resources. With Maduro in US custody, the role of acting president Delcy Rodríguez will be pivotal in navigating the political landscape. The UN Security Council's emergency meeting could lead to international pressure on the US to justify its actions and outline a clear path forward for Venezuela's governance.
Experts suggest that the US's involvement in Venezuela's oil industry could either stabilize the country's economy or exacerbate tensions, depending on how the transition is managed. The international community will be closely watching the developments, as the situation could set a precedent for future interventions in the region.
In a dramatic turn of events, US military forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a large-scale operation in Caracas. The pre-dawn assault, which took place on Saturday, has sparked international debate over US intervention in Venezuela's political affairs.
US Plans for Venezuela's Future
President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will oversee Venezuela until a "safe, proper, and judicious transition" can be ensured. Speaking at a press conference, Trump outlined plans for US oil companies to invest billions in repairing Venezuela's "broken infrastructure" and revitalize its oil industry, which holds approximately 303 billion barrels of crude. "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country," Trump stated.
Legal Proceedings Against Maduro and Flores
Following their capture, Maduro and Flores were transported to New York, where they face serious charges, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and possession of machine guns. US Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that they would face "the full wrath of American justice" in US courts. Maduro has consistently denied allegations of cartel leadership, accusing the US of using its "war on drugs" as a pretext to seize Venezuela's oil reserves.
Political Reactions and International Concerns
In response to the US actions, Venezuela declared a state of national emergency. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been ordered by the country's supreme court to assume the role of acting president, reaffirmed Maduro as the nation's legitimate leader. Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern over the US military intervention, prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
Implications for US-Venezuela Relations
The capture of Maduro marks a significant escalation in US-Venezuela relations, with potential implications for regional stability. Trump has indicated that the US will be "very strongly involved" in Venezuela's oil industry, a move that has drawn both support and criticism from international observers.
What this might mean
The US intervention in Venezuela raises critical questions about the future of the country's leadership and its vast oil resources. With Maduro in US custody, the role of acting president Delcy Rodríguez will be pivotal in navigating the political landscape. The UN Security Council's emergency meeting could lead to international pressure on the US to justify its actions and outline a clear path forward for Venezuela's governance.
Experts suggest that the US's involvement in Venezuela's oil industry could either stabilize the country's economy or exacerbate tensions, depending on how the transition is managed. The international community will be closely watching the developments, as the situation could set a precedent for future interventions in the region.
