U.S. Raid Captures Maduro, Installs Delcy Rodríguez as Interim President, Sparks Global Fallout
Updated (2 articles)
U.S. Special Forces Capture Maduro and Flores in Caracas Raid The Delta‑Force team entered Maduro’s residence at 02:01 local time on January 4, 2026, extracting the president and First Lady Cilia Flores and airlifting them to the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima before moving them to Stewart Air National Guard Base and a Brooklyn federal facility in New York [1][2]. The operation, coordinated with a CIA source, was described as a pre‑dawn “capture” rather than a rescue, and the pair were placed under U.S. custody for prosecution [1][2].
New York Federal Court Indicts Duo on Narco‑Terrorism Charges The Southern District of New York filed an indictment alleging conspiracy to commit narco‑terrorism, cocaine importation, and weapons offenses against Maduro and Flores [2]. Flores entered a not‑guilty plea during her first court appearance, while Maduro’s legal team signaled an intent to contest all allegations [1][2]. The case positions the leaders at the center of a high‑stakes legal battle that could determine Venezuela’s political future [1].
Delcy Rodríguez Assumes Interim Presidency Under Supreme Court Oath Following the capture, the Supreme Court swore in Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president on January 5, 2026, granting her authority to negotiate with Washington and form a commission to seek Maduro’s release [1][2]. Rodríguez framed the transition as a cooperative step toward dialogue, while her brother, National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez, vowed to pursue every avenue to return Maduro to power [1].
International Community Reacts, Highlighting Sovereignty and Sanctions Effects Russia condemned the raid as armed aggression, China called for Maduro’s release, and Iran labeled the operation a flagrant violation of sovereignty, while the EU and UN urged an inclusive, lawful transition [2]. At least 16 sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers departed the country after the capture, underscoring the impact of U.S. sanctions on the oil sector [1]. Global markets responded with modest shifts toward safe‑haven assets such as gold, and oil prices fluctuated amid uncertainty [1].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu: Maduro captured in U.S. raid; Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as interim president amid Venezuela tensions: Details the Caracas raid, transport to New York, Flores’s not‑guilty plea, Rodríguez’s oath, parliamentary vows, oil‑tankers’ departure, and worldwide market and diplomatic reactions .
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2.
BBC: US captures Maduro in Caracas operation as interim Venezuela government takes shape amid global reaction: Focuses on the midnight raid, use of Delta Force and CIA intelligence, indictment specifics, Rodríguez’s Supreme Court swearing‑in, Trump’s oil‑reconstruction promises, and condemnations from Russia, China, and Iran .
Timeline
Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. Delta Force conducts a pre‑dawn raid in Caracas at 02:01 local time, storms Nicolás Maduro’s residence and captures him and First Lady Cilia Flores; the team extracts the pair via a large airlift, flies them to the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima, then to Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York and finally to a Brooklyn federal facility [1][2].
Jan 3, 2026 – Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York indict Maduro and Flores on conspiracy to commit narco‑terrorism, cocaine importation and related weapons charges, marking the first U.S. criminal case against a sitting Venezuelan head of state [1][2].
Jan 4, 2026 – The Venezuelan Supreme Court swears in Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president; Rodríguez declares “Venezuela is ready to defend the government” and announces a commission to pursue Maduro’s release and chart a legislative path forward [1][2].
Jan 4, 2026 – President Donald Trump pledges an oil‑driven reconstruction of Venezuela, saying “I’m not afraid of boots on the ground” and promising to sell Venezuelan oil internationally while hinting at a future “group‑led” governance structure [1].
Jan 4‑5, 2026 – Russia condemns the raid as “armed aggression,” China urges “the release of Maduro” without recognizing the interim government, Iran calls the operation “a flagrant violation of sovereignty,” and the EU, UN and several Latin American neighbors call for a lawful, orderly transition and respect for international law [1][2].
Jan 5, 2026 – Cilia Flores enters a not‑guilty plea in the New York narcoterrorism case, signaling that her defense will contest the charges and that the legal battle will continue in U.S. courts [2].
Jan 5, 2026 – National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez, brother of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, vows “we will pursue all avenues to bring Maduro back,” framing the effort as restoring legitimacy and continuity for Venezuela’s leadership [2].
Jan 5, 2026 – At least 16 sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers depart Venezuelan waters, with four heading north, illustrating that the sanctions‑driven oil blockade remains in effect even as shipments resume under the broader sanctions regime [2].
Jan 5, 2026 – Global financial markets react with modest shifts: safe‑haven assets such as gold rise, while oil prices fluctuate amid uncertainty over Venezuela’s oil output and the impact of renewed U.S. sanctions [2].