In a historic and rapidly unfolding escalation, the United States launched a massive military operation in Venezuela on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, the mission resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who have since been flown to the United States to face criminal charges.
The operation has effectively upended the Venezuelan government, prompting a nationwide state of emergency and triggering intense global debate over the legality of the intervention.
1. The Raid: 30 Minutes that Changed Caracas
The assault began around 2:00 AM local time under total darkness, as the U.S. military reportedly disabled the power grid in parts of the capital.
- Air Superiority: More than 150 aircraft, including F-22 Raptors and B-1B Lancers, conducted precision strikes on military bases and communication antennas. Major explosions were reported at the Fuerte Tiuna military complex and the La Carlota airbase.
- The Capture: Delta Force operators, supported by the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, executed a “snatch-and-grab” mission at Maduro’s compound. The capture was finalized in less than 30 minutes.
- Current Status: Maduro and his wife were transported via a U.S. warship and have since arrived in New York. They are set to face “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges and an existing $15 million federal bounty.
2. “We’re Going to Run the Country”: Trump’s Post-Strike Address
Hours after the operation, President Donald Trump held a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, where he confirmed the capture and outlined an assertive new policy for the South American nation.
- Temporary Control: Trump stated that the U.S. would “run the country” temporarily to ensure a “proper and judicious transition.”
- Oil Resources: He explicitly mentioned plans to “fix” Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and utilize its vast reserves—among the largest in the world—to sell to other nations.
- Legal Justification: The administration has classified Venezuelan drug cartels as “unlawful combatants,” arguing the U.S. is in a state of “armed conflict” with these groups, thus justifying the use of military force without prior congressional approval.
3. Response in Venezuela: Acting President Named
While the U.S. claims the “tyrant is gone,” the remnants of the Maduro administration are resisting.
- Interim Leadership: The Supreme Tribunal of Justice in Venezuela has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of Acting President.
- State of Emergency: Rodríguez has declared a national state of emergency, describing Maduro’s removal as a “kidnapping” and calling for a UN Security Council meeting to condemn the “imperialist aggression.”
4. Global Reaction: A World Divided
The international community has reacted with a mix of celebration, shock, and condemnation.
- Support: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu praised the “bold and historic leadership,” while several NATO allies like Albania expressed full support for the removal of the “dictator.”
- Condemnation: China and Russia have “categorically condemned” the strike as a flagrant violation of international law. Regionally, Brazil and Colombia expressed deep concern over the violation of sovereignty and warned of a potential humanitarian crisis on their borders.
- UN Alarm: The United Nations has expressed “deep alarm,” suggesting the operation sets a “dangerous precedent” for targeting heads of state.
What’s Next for Venezuela?
The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet on January 5, 2026, to discuss the crisis. In Washington, the Senate is expected to vote on a bipartisan war powers resolution next week to challenge the legality of the strike conducted without congressional notification.
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