Sun Jan 04 10:38:44 UTC 2026: Summary:

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in a raid by U.S. special forces in Caracas and brought to New York City to face drug trafficking charges. The capture followed a months-long intelligence operation, including surveillance and the construction of a replica of Maduro’s residence, and a build-up of US military presence in the Caribbean. The White House mocked Maduro’s capture in a video on X, highlighting Maduro’s past taunts toward President Trump. The US has accused Maduro of heading a drug cartel. Maduro has denied the allegations, claiming the US is targeting him for Venezuela’s oil reserves.

News Article:

US Forces Capture Venezuelan President Maduro in Daring Raid

New York, NY – In a stunning turn of events, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were apprehended by U.S. special forces in a pre-dawn raid in Caracas on Saturday and are now facing drug trafficking charges in New York City.

The capture, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was personally overseen by President Donald Trump, who reportedly watched the climax of the operation via live feed. “I watched it, literally, like I was watching a television show,” he told Fox and Friends.

The White House released a mocking video on X, featuring a montage of Maduro’s past taunts directed at President Trump, followed by footage of the raid. The video ends with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth saying, “He f***ed around and found out.”

According to reports, US intelligence agents have been secretly monitoring Maduro’s every move since August, gathering detailed information about his movements, habits, and residence. American forces even constructed a replica of Maduro’s residence to practice the raid.

The US has long accused Maduro of leading a drug cartel, citing the illegal migration and Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as motives for the aggressive policy. Maduro has vehemently denied the charges, claiming the US is seeking to overthrow him to seize control of Venezuela’s oil wealth.

Maduro and Flores are currently being held at a Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, awaiting trial. The capture represents a dramatic escalation in tensions between the United States and Venezuela and raises questions about the future of the country.

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