In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will take direct control of Venezuela. The announcement followed a covert military operation that resulted in the capture of the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife.
The Nighttime Raid and Capture
The extraordinary events unfolded in the early hours of 3 January 2026. According to reports from CBS News, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized by Delta Force special operations troops as they slept in their heavily secured residence on an army base.
Sources described a dramatic scene, stating the couple were "dragged from their bedroom" and swiftly loaded onto a waiting US military helicopter. Trump later confirmed to Fox and Friends that the pair were flown to the USS Iwo Jima, a warship deployed in the Caribbean, and are now being transported to the United States to face criminal charges.
Trump's Justification and Statement
Speaking at a press conference, Trump outlined the rationale for the unprecedented intervention. "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," he stated.
He further claimed the action was motivated by a desire for "peace, liberty and justice for the great people of Venezuela," including those living in the US who wish to return home. The specific charges levelled against Maduro and Flores relate to narco-terrorism.
Trump revealed that the operation, planned four days prior, had been delayed due to weather. He addressed casualties, noting, "I think we had nobody killed... a couple of guys were hit, but they came back and they're supposed to be in pretty good shape."
Immediate Fallout and Venezuelan Response
The capital city, Caracas, was rocked by numerous explosions overnight, marking the military strikes that preceded the ground raid. Venezuela's defence minister condemned the attacks, asserting that civilian areas had been struck and vowing that the nation would resist US aggression.
In response to the crisis, the Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency and deployed its army onto the streets. The situation remains volatile, with the future governance of the country now under direct question following Trump's declaration of US control.
This represents a seismic shift in international relations and regional stability, with the US taking direct, unilateral action to remove a foreign head of state. The long-term consequences for diplomacy, international law, and the people of Venezuela are yet to be seen.
