01/03/2026
What happened:
• Early on January 3, 2026, the United States launched a large‑scale military operation involving airstrikes and special operations forces against targets in northern Venezuela, including in and around the capital, Caracas. 
• U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country following the strikes. 
• U.S. officials said the capture was carried out by elite U.S. units, including Delta Force and Army Special Operations aviation elements, with involvement from U.S. law enforcement. 
How the strike unfolded:
• Plumes of smoke and multiple explosions were reported in Caracas in the early hours as aircraft and helicopters struck military complexes and key infrastructure. 
• The operation reportedly lasted under 30 minutes and included precision raids on fortified locations where Maduro was believed to be sheltering. 
What the U.S. says next:
• President Trump and the U.S. Attorney General stated Maduro and Flores will face U.S. criminal charges, including narco‑terrorism and drug trafficking indictments in the Southern District of New York. 
