The United States launched a major military operation in Venezuela early on January 3, 2026, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were flown out of the country, according to U.S. President Donald Trump. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the action as a "large-scale strike" carried out in coordination with U.S. law enforcement, targeting military sites including Fuerte Tiuna—the country's largest military complex—and La Carlota Airport. Reports from Caracas detailed explosions, low-flying aircraft, smoke rising from targeted areas, power outages in parts of the capital, and chaotic scenes as residents reacted to the overnight events. The U.S. framed the intervention as a response to longstanding accusations that Maduro heads the Cartel de los Soles, a drug-trafficking network allegedly responsible for flooding the U.S. with narcotics, with Maduro facing indictments in New York.

This marks the most direct U.S. military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama during Operation Just Cause, when American forces removed dictator Manuel Noriega on drug trafficking charges. That campaign became notorious for its use of psychological warfare, as troops surrounded the Vatican Embassy, where Noriega had sought refuge, and blasted loud rock music—including Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle"—non-stop for days to pressure his surrender. The parallel has been highlighted in media coverage, underscoring a pattern of U.S. actions against leaders accused of narco-trafficking, though the Venezuela operation involved special forces like Delta Force for the capture rather than a prolonged ground invasion. The Trump administration has built pressure over months through boat strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific, a blockade of oil tankers, and designations of related entities as terrorist groups, with a $50 million bounty on Maduro.

International reactions have been swift and divided, with allies like Russia, Iran, and Cuba condemning the strikes as violations of sovereignty, while some regional leaders expressed cautious support or neutrality. Colombia prepared for potential refugee flows, and calls emerged for a U.N. Security Council meeting. Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof of life for Maduro, and opposition figures celebrated the development amid uncertainty over the country's future governance. The U.S. Attorney General indicated that Maduro and his wife would face criminal charges in American courts, with Trump scheduling a news conference at Mar-a-Lago to provide further details.

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As the situation unfolds, oil operations by state-run PDVSA reportedly continue normally, but the full extent of casualties, damage, and political ramifications remains unclear. The event revives debates over U.S. interventionism in the region, with analysts noting risks of instability in South America following the removal of a leader who has ruled since 2013.

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