Maduro Captured by Trump Administration

President Donald Trump alongside U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) and CIA Director John Ratcliffe (left) watch the U.S. military operation in Venezuela from at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, January 3, 2026. (Photo courtesy of The White House).

No United States military personnel were killed during the attack.

Article by Georgia Simon, Chief Political Editor

PALM BEACH, Fla. - Following months of increased pressure on Nicolas Maduro’s Venezuelan regime, the Trump administration, with help from the Department of Justice and the United States military, has removed Maduro and his wife from the country in a surprise US attack in the early hours of Saturday morning. There have been increased Caribbean as well as Pacific Sea boat strikes by US forces in the last few months that have led to this attack as Trump has repeatedly warned about further action against the country and regime. 

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken overnight from their Caracas home by US forces, flown via helicopter to an American warship and now en route to New York where they have been indicted on various weapon and drug based offenses. 

Following the large-scale attack, President Trump held a press conference at his Florida based home, explaining that the United States will “run” Venezuela until a new leader takes power. The president also announced that Venezuela's oil industry will now be run by Americans with hopes US companies will start to invest. 

Dating back to the president's first term, the administration has always labeled the regime as criminal and looked to put Maduro on trial in the United States. This is also not the first time Maduro has been indicted by the Trump Administration, as back in 2020 he was charged with “narco terrorism.” Both indictments are within the Southern District of New York where Maduro and his wife are headed. 

President Trump has also released a photo on Truth Social of Maduro with a caption stating that the Venezuelan leader is onboard the USS Iwo Jima. 

Mike Lee, a Republican Senator from Utah, spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio following today's attack. He later posted that Rubio “informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.” 

It is unclear what the future holds for Venezuela and its leaders. Stated in their countries constitution, the Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, is called to take power and set up an election within a 30 day time period. However, if the United States will be running Venezuela, uncertainty over new leaders and or a regime change is still widely unknown. 

Maduro and his wife are expected to arrive in New York later Saturday where further details will be provided on what to expect in the coming weeks. The United Nations Security Council is also holding an emergency meeting on Monday following the attack.