Trump Dismisses Putin Capture Plan After Maduro Raid, Emphasizes Legal Debate
Updated (5 articles)
Operation Details and Immediate Aftermath The United States launched a rapid “lightning” raid on January 3, 2026, deploying more than 150 aircraft to seize Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, transporting them to New York to face federal narco‑terrorism and weapons charges [1][4][5]. The operation also seized two sanctioned oil tankers linked to Venezuela, one flagged to Russia, and flew Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to Moscow for unclear status [4]. Russian officials condemned the strike as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty, while U.S. officials framed it as a lawful response to cartel‑linked activities [5].
Russian Diplomatic Reaction and Putin’s Silence Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on January 3 calling the raid an “unacceptable violation of sovereignty,” and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov conveyed “strong solidarity” to Venezuela’s interim president [2][5]. The Kremlin’s UN ambassador accused Washington of neocolonialism, yet President Vladimir Putin offered no public comment, leaving analysts to question Moscow’s appetite for a direct response [2]. Former deputy foreign minister Andrei Fedorov labeled the operation a “slap in the face to Putin,” highlighting internal Kremlin frustration [4].
Trump’s Public Stance on Putin and Legal Oversight On January 10, Trump told Fox News he has “no plans” to send U.S. troops to capture Putin, citing a long‑standing personal relationship and confidence that the mission would be “easy” compared with eight wars he claims to have settled [1]. He warned that congressional oversight of such extraterritorial actions could extend beyond a year, underscoring ongoing legal debates in Washington [1].
Broader U.S. Strategy and International Debate The Maduro raid coincided with the Trump administration’s push for a Ukraine‑Russia peace deal and the articulation of a “Donroe Doctrine” asserting a U.S. sphere of influence in Latin America [1][3]. Lawmakers such as Senators Chris Van Hollen and Sheldon Whitehouse criticized the operation as risky for NATO unity, while Vice President J.D. Vance praised it but warned of legal complexities [1]. Analysts note the operation may distract Western allies from coordinated support for Kyiv [3].
Kremlin Internal Split and Hardliner Views Despite public condemnation, former President Dmitry Medvedev praised Trump’s consistency in defending U.S. interests while denouncing the raid as illegal [3]. Russian hard‑liners argue the U.S. action strengthens Moscow’s narrative that great powers must protect vital interests, potentially fueling further aggression in Ukraine [3]. The divergent Russian commentary reflects a split between diplomatic protest and strategic opportunism [4].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Trump Rules Out Sending U.S. Troops to Capture Putin as Maduro Is Captured: Highlights Trump’s dismissal of a Putin capture mission, Maduro’s capture, peace‑talk push, legal debate, and mixed political reactions .
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2.
CNN: Putin Silent as US Seizes Maduro, Exposing Limits of Russia’s Latin America Ties: Details the raid, Putin’s silence, Russian diplomatic condemnation, and the embarrassment of Russian‑supplied defenses .
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3.
AP: U.S. Lightning Operation That Captured Nicolás Maduro Reshapes Russia’s Position and Splits Kremlin Opinion: Analyzes the raid’s strategic impact, Kremlin setbacks, Medvedev’s mixed praise, and broader Western unease .
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4.
Newsweek: Trump Says He’s Not Thrilled With Putin After U.S. Strikes in Venezuela: Reports Trump’s “not thrilled” comment, Maduro’s transport, Russian condemnation, and Vice President Rodríguez’s flight to Russia .
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5.
The Hindu: Russia Condemns Maduro Capture as Unacceptable Violation of Sovereignty: Covers Russia’s formal protest, claims of sovereignty breach, and Trump’s claim of the January 3 capture .
Timeline
May 2025 – Putin hosts Maduro at the Grand Kremlin Palace and both leaders sign a treaty on strategic partnership and cooperation, publicly cementing Russia’s closest alliance in South America [1].
2025 – The United States and Israel carry out strikes on Iran, while Bashar Assad’s regime collapses, eroding Russian influence in the Middle East and highlighting a pattern of Kremlin setbacks abroad [4].
Jan 3 2026 – U.S. special‑operations forces launch a lightning‑fast raid involving more than 150 aircraft, capture Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas, and air‑lift them to the United States to face narco‑terrorism and weapons charges [3][5].
Jan 3 2026 – At a press conference Trump answers a reporter’s question with “I’m not thrilled with Putin” and adds “We never spoke about it,” underscoring his personal distance from the Russian leader [3].
Jan 3 2026 – Russia’s Foreign Ministry issues a statement calling the Maduro removal “an unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state” and demands immediate clarification [5].
Jan 3 2026 – The ministry notes that no Russian citizens are reported injured in the strikes, reaffirming solidarity with the Venezuelan people while avoiding direct escalation [5].
Jan 3 2026 – Former deputy foreign minister Andrei Fedorov labels the operation “a slap in the face to Putin” and predicts a major shift in global oil‑resource power dynamics [3].
Jan 3 2026 – Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez flies to Russia hours after the raid; Trump says she has agreed to work with the U.S., though her exact status remains unclear [3].
Jan 3 2026 – The United States seizes two sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers, including one flagged to Russia, as part of the broader operation [4].
Jan 7 2026 – Putin appears at the Russian Orthodox Christmas celebration with uniformed service members and their families, declaring Russian soldiers “divinely commissioned to defend the Fatherland” to bolster domestic support for the Ukraine war [1].
Jan 7 2026 – Kremlin opinion splits: former Security Council deputy Dmitry Medvedev rebukes Washington for trampling international law yet praises Trump’s consistency, while Russian diplomats denounce the raid as blatant aggression and begin evacuating families of diplomats from Caracas [4].
Jan 8 2026 – Putin remains publicly silent on the Maduro capture; Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calls Venezuela’s interim president to convey “strong solidarity,” and Russia’s UN ambassador accuses Washington of neocolonialism [1].
Jan 9 2026 – Trump tells Fox News that sending U.S. troops to capture Putin is unnecessary, citing his long‑standing personal relationship with the Russian leader and confidence in handling “easier challenges” [2].
Jan 9 2026 – The Trump administration simultaneously pushes a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, linking the Venezuela operation to broader diplomatic efforts in the region [2].
Jan 9 2026 – Lawmakers and foreign‑policy experts debate the legality of extraterritorial U.S. actions, noting that congressional oversight of the Maduro raid could extend beyond a year [2].