Update: Trump, who abducted Maduro along with his wife to America, will reportedly file a lawsuit there.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have been arrested following a large-scale military operation launched by the United States in the early hours of January 3, 2026. This attack, which targeted several key locations in northern Venezuela, including the capital Caracas, has been confirmed by US President Donald Trump and several major international media outlets.

The main objective of this operation, named "Operation Southern Spear", was to suppress drug trafficking networks and other criminal activities linked to Maduro's government.

Reports indicate that following this sudden night raid by US special forces, the President and his wife were arrested and immediately flown out of the country. Based on previous indictments, including drug terrorism and drug trafficking, they are expected to face numerous serious criminal charges in the United States. The US government emphasizes that this action was taken in response to alleged crimes and electoral fraud committed by the Maduro regime over many years.

In response to this emergency, the Venezuelan government has declared a national state of emergency and is demanding proof that President Maduro is alive. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has urged the public to remain calm and stated that she does not know the whereabouts of the President and his wife. Venezuela, strongly condemning this attack as a "military invasion," has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Due to the ongoing instability, the US Embassy in Venezuela has advised American citizens in the country to remain in safe locations.

A state of severe uncertainty regarding the governance of Venezuela has now emerged, with no clear successor confirmed yet. However, US authorities have confirmed that as Maduro is currently in custody, no further military action is planned. This incident marks a critical turning point in US-Venezuelan relations and is considered the most direct US intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.

Prior to this operation, the US had been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean region since last August. This included the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier and thousands of troops. While the US had previously seized drug-carrying vessels and oil tankers, launching such a direct operation targeting a head of state marks a serious turning point in regional politics.

International reactions to this incident vary. Cuba and Colombia have condemned the attack, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro stating his readiness to strengthen border security and face the risk of refugee influx. However, allies of Trump, including Argentinian President Javier Milei, have praised the action. There has been no information reported yet regarding the current status or whereabouts of Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader María Corina Machado.