On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the world woke up to a geopolitical earthquake as the United States launched a lightning-fast military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the reported capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Southern Spear,” began with a series of precision airstrikes across Caracas at approximately 2:00 a.m. local time, targeting key military and command infrastructure.
The Dramatic Announcement: “Maduro Has Been Captured”
Hours after explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital, U.S. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce the success of the mission.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” the President posted.
He further clarified that the operation was conducted in collaboration with U.S. Law Enforcement and scheduled a major press conference at Mar-a-Lago for 11:00 a.m. EST.
The “Viral” Capture and Legal Charges
- The “Viral” Photo: A photograph purportedly showing Maduro in U.S. custody has flooded social media. While the image has not been independently verified by major news agencies, it has become the face of the fast-moving conflict.
- Stand Trial in the U.S.: Utah Senator Mike Lee confirmed he was briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating that Maduro was arrested to stand trial on long-standing criminal charges, including narco-terrorism and corruption.
- Current Status: Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were reportedly flown to a secure location, with some sources suggesting they are being held at a U.S. military base in the Caribbean or en route to the mainland.
Chaos and Emergency in Caracas
Following the strikes, which reportedly involved Delta Force and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Venezuela was plunged into turmoil:
- National Emergency: Vice President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national state of emergency and demanded “proof of life” from the U.S. government.
- Power Grid Failure: Large parts of southern Caracas remained without electricity throughout Saturday morning.
- Retaliation Vow: Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López denounced the move as “imperialist aggression” and vowed that the Venezuelan military would defend its sovereignty.