Mon Jan 05 00:10:00 UTC 2026: Headline: U.S. Military Operation Captures Venezuelan President Maduro, Sparks Controversy

Summary:

The Trump administration launched a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Maduro is now in U.S. custody, facing charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses. President Trump stated the U.S. will temporarily “run” Venezuela, focusing on its oil reserves, with a group of officials to be appointed for oversight.

News Article:

NEW YORK, NY – In a stunning move, the United States military has apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a covert operation dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve.” The news has sent shockwaves through the international community, igniting both celebration and controversy.

President Trump, in a brief address, announced that the U.S. would be temporarily taking control of Venezuela, citing the country’s vast oil reserves as a key factor. He remained vague on the specifics of U.S. governance, promising to name a team of officials to oversee the transition.

Maduro arrived in New York Saturday afternoon and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, facing serious charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses. He is expected to be held in a Brooklyn federal jail.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the operation, stating on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that its primary objective was to disrupt drug trafficking into the U.S., dismissing the need for immediate elections in Venezuela. Rubio downplayed the situation as not “a war against Venezuela” but “a war against drug trafficking organizations,” and reiterated warnings to Cuba.

The operation involved months of preparation, with elite U.S. troops reportedly training on a replica of the Venezuelan presidential compound. A CIA team had been tracking Maduro’s movements, gathering intelligence on his daily routines. Trump described the use of “massive blowtorches” in case of resistance within Maduro’s safe room.

However, the operation has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries refuted Rubio’s claims, asserting that the military action was undoubtedly an act of war. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed sentiments of “Washington playbook” that “doesn’t serve the American people.”

News of Maduro’s capture triggered spontaneous celebrations among Venezuelan communities in the U.S., while also sparking concerns about the future of the country.

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