As of the latest verified reports on January 3, 2026, the United States — according to U.S. President Donald Trump — has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured during U.S. military strikes in Caracas and flown out of Venezuela. However, there is no independent confirmation yet from Venezuelan authorities or independent observers verifying Maduro’s detention or location.
What Trump Claimed on Truth Social
In an early-morning post on Truth Social, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had “successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and his wife were “captured and flown out of the country.” He described the operation as being conducted “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement” and scheduled a press conference at Mar-a-Lago later in the morning for further details.”
This claim was widely reported by major news outlets, including Reuters and CBS News, with many emphasizing that the announcement came via social media rather than through traditional government press channels.
The Strikes That Preceded the Claim
According to multiple sources:
- A series of explosions and helicopter activity were reported over Caracas and surrounding regions in the early hours of January 3, 2026.
- The U.S. military carried out coordinated strikes on both military and infrastructure targets as part of a broader operation targeting alleged narco-terrorism networks and regime leadership.
- Venezuelan officials confirmed the explosions and declared a national emergency, denouncing the action as “military aggression” and urging citizens to mobilize.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also issued a ban on U.S. flights over Venezuela due to hazardous military activity — a rare move reflecting the severity of the situation.
What Venezuelan Officials Are Saying
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has publicly stated that the government does not know the whereabouts of Nicolás Maduro or Cilia Flores following the strikes. She demanded “immediate proof of life” and reiterated Caracas’s position that the U.S. action constitutes an imperialist attack and violation of international law.
As of now, no independent verification — from Venezuelan state sources, international observers, or third-party media on the ground — has confirmed Maduro’s detention or transport out of the country.
Why This Matters: Politics and Legality
This alleged capture, if verified, would be one of the most dramatic episodes in U.S.–Latin American relations in decades — arguably since the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama to depose Manuel Noriega.
However, analysts and legal experts are already raising key unresolved questions:
- Was there Congressional authorization? U.S. law generally requires congressional approval for military action abroad — a point of contention among lawmakers, with some Republicans and Democrats alike criticizing the move.
- What international law applies? Military capture of a sitting head of state on foreign soil — without a widely accepted global mandate or treaty basis — raises complex legal issues under the UN Charter and customary international law.
Until more concrete evidence emerges, the legality and legitimacy of the claimed capture remain hotly debated.
Independent Verification Still Pending
Despite Trump’s strong wording, everything hinges on verification:
- So far, the only sources confirming Maduro’s capture are U.S. officials and their statements.
- Venezuelan officials report ignorance of Maduro’s location and insist on proof of life.
- There are no verified images, video, or third-party confirmations from independent media on the ground confirming that Maduro and Flores are actually in U.S. custody or have been removed from Venezuela.
This contrasts sharply with most historical leadership removals, which are typically accompanied by tangible evidence that can be independently assessed.
Regional and Global Reactions (Preliminary)
Even in this early phase:
- Latin American governments are split: nations like Colombia are mobilizing on their border due to fears of destabilization, while others condemn the U.S. action as violation of sovereignty and breach of international norms.
- Global powers such as Russia and Cuba have sharply criticized the strikes.
- International bodies, including calls for emergency UN Security Council sessions, are being raised to de-escalate tensions.
These reactions underscore the broader geopolitical ripple effects that extend far beyond Venezuelan borders.
Conclusion: Claim vs. Confirmed Reality
Here’s the crucial distinction for readers:
Claim: U.S. President Donald Trump asserts that the U.S. has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flown him out of Venezuela following military strikes.
Confirmed Reality: Independent verification — such as visual evidence, confirmation from the Venezuelan government, or credible third-party reporting on Maduro’s actual status and location — does not yet exist.
At this early and fluid stage of the crisis, the story is evolving rapidly, and what’s clear is that this moment has upended long-standing norms around military engagement and the political fate of sitting heads of state. The next hours and days will likely be decisive in clarifying the truth behind the claims — and, if verified, determining the legal and geopolitical fallout from this extraordinary event.
