Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Credit - Matias Delacroix—Associated Press
President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after carrying out a "large-scale" strikeagainst the country.
The extraordinary attack followsmonths of pressurefrom the Trump Administration on Maduro to cede power in the South American country over long-standing accusations of drug trafficking and election rigging.
It represents the largest U.S. military operation in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, when, as today, the U.S. captured the country's leader, Manuel Antonio Noriega.
The attack is the second major military campaign launched by the president since returning to office a year ago, following widespread airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in June.
In a post on Truth Social, TrumpsaidMaduro and his wife had been "captured and flown out of the Country," adding that the operation "was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement."
Maduro was indicted on corruption and drug trafficking charges in the U.S. in 2020. The State Department had announced a $50 million reward for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
In an interview with Fox & Friends hours after the operation, Trump gave further details about the raid.
"We were going to do this four days ago, but the weather was not perfect, and then all of a sudden it opened up and we said go. He was in a highly guarded — it was like a fortress actually," he said, adding that no American troops were killed.
Trump also told Fox News the U.S. would be involved in deciding Venezuela's future: "We'll be involved in it very much."
"We can't take a chance in letting somebody else run and just take over what he left, or left off," he said.
Vice President JD Vance said Trump had offered Maduro "multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States."
Attorney General Pam BondisaidMaduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been indicted in New York and would "soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts."
Read more:Trump Advisors and Venezuela Opposition Leaders Plan for Maduro's Departure
Trump's comments came soon after explosions were reported across Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning. Witnesses reported strikes in the capital, Caracas, beginning around 2 am local time. Videos posted to social media showed large explosions and what appeared to be U.S. military aircraft flying low over the city.
Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández told The Associated Press that Maduro and his wife were at their home within the Ft. Tiuna military installation when they were captured.
"That's where they bombed," he said. "And, there, they carried out what we could call a kidnapping of the president and the first lady of the country."
The Venezuelan government said attacks also occurred in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. Photographs showed parts of Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, engulfed in flames.
In a national address, Venezuela's defense minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino Lopez denounced what he called an "invasion" and a "blatant outrage." The statement was the first response from Maduro's government since the strikes began.
Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who is next in line to take charge of government, said she did not know the whereabouts of either Maduro or his wife.
"We demand that President Donald Trump's government provide immediate proof of life for President Maduro and the First Lady," Rodriguez said in an audio played on state TV.
Luis Jaimes— AFP via Getty Images" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> President Trump reportedly ordered the strikes inside Venezuela days ago, according to CBS News, after months of threats to expand a U.S. bombing campaign against alleged drug boats to targets inside the country.
Trump has repeatedly called Maduro an illegitimate president and his administration has accused him of running a "narco state", without providing evidence. He said in aninterviewlast month that Maduro's "days are numbered."
Republican U.S. Senator Mike Leesaidthat Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told him Maduro would stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.
"He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant," Lee said in a post on X.
He added that Rubio "anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody."
Maduro had earlier declared a state of emergency in response to the attacks, according to a statement from the Venezuelan communications ministry. The statement said the government "rejects, repudiates, and denounces" U.S. military aggression.
Maduro's precise whereabouts are currently unknown.
At least 115 people have been killed since September in the U.S. strikes against alleged boats that the Trump Administration claims are smuggling drugs. Analysts andlegal experts have questionedthe legality of the boat strikes, which have been carried out without congressional approval.
The Trump Administration has been building up military forces in the region for months while ratcheting up threats against Venezuela's government. The Pentagon deployed 10 F-35s to Puerto Rico. The U.S.S. Gerald Ford, thought to be the largest and most advanced aircraft carrier in the world, recently joined eight warships and some 10,000 troops already in the region.
Trump also authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to conduct covert operations in Venezuela. Maduro responded directly to the revelation, calling the move a "desperate" attempt at regime change.
A Pentagon spokesperson referred TIME's questions to the White House. The White House directed TIME to President Trump'sposton Truth Social.
Trump said that he would speak at a news conference at 11 a.m. from Mar-a-Lago, where he is currently staying.
This is a developing story.
Contact usatletters@time.com.
