U.S. Captures Maduro, Announces Temporary Governance and Oil Extraction Plans

Updated 2026-01-04 14:23:13+00:00 (12 articles)

Overnight Capture of Maduro and Cilia Flores The United States conducted a covert night raid on January 3‑4, 2026, seizing President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from their residence on a Caracas military base, placing them aboard a U.S. warship, and flying them to New York for processing at a DEA office before transfer to a Brooklyn federal jail [1][2][5][6][12]. The operation lasted under 30 minutes, produced at least seven explosions in Caracas, and was described by Gen. Dan Caine as involving more than 150 aircraft from 20 bases [3][8][11]. Both Maduro and Flores face a new Justice Department indictment charging them with narco‑terrorism conspiracies [1][5][11][12].

Trump Announces Temporary U.S. Governance and Oil Plan At a Mar‑a‑Lago press conference on January 4, President Donald Trump declared that the United States would “run” Venezuela temporarily, repair its oil infrastructure, and sell large volumes of Venezuelan crude to other nations [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. He framed the move as a safeguard for regional stability and a means to fund the interim administration, while also hinting that U.S. troops could remain on the ground if needed [11][12]. Trump emphasized that the oil revenues would offset the costs of the operation and support reconstruction [5][8][11].

Scale and Speed of the Military Operation General Caine detailed that the raid employed over 150 aircraft—including fighters, bombers, drones, and helicopters—launched from 20 U.S. bases, with the extraction force arriving by helicopter under protective air cover [8][11]. The mission was rehearsed for months, with officials even practicing the extraction on a replica of Maduro’s home, and was executed without any U.S. casualties, though some U.S. personnel were reported injured [3][4][7]. The rapid, coordinated strike demonstrated unprecedented U.S. military reach in South America [6][9].

Legal, Congressional, and International Backlash Legal scholars immediately questioned the operation’s legality, noting the absence of explicit congressional authorization and raising constitutional concerns [1][2][4][12]. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers demanded briefings and expressed reservations about the unilateral use of force [1][4][12]. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting at Colombia’s request, while China publicly condemned the raid as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty [6][8][10][11]. These reactions underscore a growing diplomatic dispute over the precedent set by the incursion [3][9].

Public Reactions and Immediate On‑Ground Situation In Caracas, streets filled with mixed protests—some pro‑government demonstrators and others celebrating Maduro’s removal—while reports of casualties and power outages circulated [1][2][9][10]. Venezuelan diaspora communities in Doral, South Florida, and other U.S. cities staged celebrations, wrapping themselves in flags and chanting for change [2][12]. Despite Trump’s proclamation, there were no visible signs of a U.S. administration taking control of Venezuelan institutions; key sites like Miraflores Palace remained guarded by local forces [7][10].

Sources

Timeline

2024‑2025 – Years‑long internal push led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and allies inside the Trump administration pressures for decisive action against Nicolás Maduro, laying the political groundwork for a regime‑change operation [2][4][5][6].

Late 2025 – Months of covert planning and rehearsals, including detailed intelligence on Maduro’s routines and practice extractions on a replica building, prepare the U.S. military for a surprise raid on Caracas [2][3][5][6].

Jan 2, 2026 (Friday night, 10:46 p.m. ET) – President Trump orders the raid; more than 150 aircraft from 20 bases launch under air cover, and helicopters approach Caracas from the water to execute the extraction [6].

Jan 3, 2026 (early hours) – U.S. forces capture President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from their home on a Caracas military base, board them onto a U.S. warship, and fly them to New York for processing on narco‑terrorism charges [1][3][4][5][7][8][9][10][11][12].

Jan 3, 2026 (early hours) – Explosions echo through Caracas, power outages spread, and mixed street protests erupt, with casualties reported as Venezuelan security forces and civilians clash [1][5][8][10].

Jan 3, 2026 (morning) – After landing at a Manhattan airport, Maduro and Flores are escorted to a DEA office and are slated for detention in a Brooklyn federal jail pending trial [1][7][10].

Jan 3, 2026 (midday) – At a Mar‑A‑Lago news conference, President Trump declares that the United States will run Venezuela temporarily, repair its oil infrastructure, and sell large volumes of Venezuelan oil to other nations to fund the transition [1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].

Jan 3, 2026 (midday) – Trump adds that U.S. troops could be deployed in Venezuela and that a “group” standing behind him will administer the country during the transition, signaling a possible boots‑on‑the‑ground posture [6].

Jan 3, 2026 (immediately after) – Legal scholars and experts publicly question the operation’s legality, noting the absence of explicit congressional authorization and raising constitutional concerns [1][5][7][8][9][10][11][12].

Jan 3‑4, 2026 – Members of Congress, including the Congressional Black Caucus, condemn the raid as an illegal abuse of power and demand a formal briefing; the administration notifies Congress after the operation has begun [6][9].

Jan 4, 2026 – The United Nations Security Council schedules an emergency meeting at Colombia’s request to address the U.S. incursion and its implications for regional stability and international law [1][4][7][8][9][10][11].

Jan 4, 2026 – China and other nations issue statements condemning the raid as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and urging respect for the UN Charter [4].

2026 onward – The Trump administration plans to keep U.S. oil companies involved in rebuilding Venezuela’s oil facilities and to sell the extracted oil to foreign buyers, using the proceeds to finance the temporary governance of the country [6][7][9][10].

2026 onward – The United States maintains a naval presence off Venezuela’s coast and signals that additional boots‑on‑the‑ground forces could be deployed if “U.S. demands are not fully met,” indicating a long‑term military posture [6].