Maduro was arrested during a pre-dawn United States military operation that struck the Venezuelan capital, triggering explosions, power outages and sharply divided international reactions. The capture of President Nicolás Maduro, confirmed by US authorities in early January 2026, has plunged Venezuela into its most serious political crisis in years and escalated tensions between Washington and several global powers.
The operation, announced publicly by former US President Donald Trump, resulted in Maduro being transferred to US custody to face longstanding criminal charges. While the United States described the mission as a precise law-enforcement action, Venezuela accused Washington of killing civilians and violating its sovereignty. Governments across Latin America, Europe and beyond responded with condemnation, caution or guarded concern.
How the Raid Unfolded
According to US officials, the operation began at 02:01 local time in Caracas. Within minutes, large parts of the capital experienced a sudden power outage, leaving neighbourhoods in darkness. Donald Trump later said US forces were able to cut electricity in Caracas, though he did not explain how this was done.
Explosions were reported near key locations, with residents describing loud blasts and heavy military movement. Venezuelan authorities initially denied foreign involvement, calling the situation a domestic security matter. State television continued broadcasting as unverified reports circulated online.
Trump later said Maduro attempted to flee into a steel-fortified safe room inside his residence but was unable to secure the reinforced door before US forces reached him. He said the arrest was carried out by Delta Force, the US military’s elite counter-terrorism unit.
According to Trump, US intelligence tracked Maduro’s location with the help of a CIA source inside the Venezuelan government. More than 150 aircraft were involved in inserting and extracting personnel. Trump said no US service members were killed and that there were “few injuries”.
US officials later indicated that air strikes around Caracas were used as cover for the extraction team. They said the strikes were limited and designed to distract Venezuelan security forces.
Extraction and Transfer to US Custody
Following his arrest, Maduro and his wife were taken aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a US amphibious assault ship positioned off the Venezuelan coast. They were later transferred to a military aircraft.
The plane landed at Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state. Maduro was then moved under heavy security to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a federal facility that houses high-profile detainees.
US authorities said Maduro will face trial under existing indictments related to drug trafficking, narco-terrorism and conspiracy to export cocaine into the United States. The charges had been filed several years ago but could not be enforced while he remained in office.
Trump said the arrest showed that “no individual who harms Americans is beyond the reach of the law”. He added that the operation was limited in scope and insisted the United States had no intention of occupying Venezuela.
Venezuela’s Response and Political Shift
Venezuela’s government responded angrily. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López said on state television that a “large part of Maduro’s security team” had been killed, along with soldiers and “innocent civilians”. He did not provide figures or evidence.
The Venezuelan government accused the United States of striking civilian areas and said it was collecting information on casualties, though no official numbers have been released. US authorities rejected the claims, saying the operation was carefully targeted.
With Maduro removed, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice announced that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would assume the role of interim president. The court cited constitutional continuity and the need to prevent instability.
Rodríguez condemned the US action as an illegal abduction but urged calm, saying state institutions would continue to function. The armed forces issued a statement recognising the interim leadership and calling for order.
Public reaction across Venezuela was muted. Years of economic collapse and political uncertainty appeared to dampen expectations of immediate change, with many residents expressing fear rather than celebration.
International Reaction
Governments worldwide reacted swiftly to the arrest of Maduro, exposing deep divisions.
Russia said the operation was a “gross violation of international law” and warned it set a dangerous precedent.
China said it was deeply concerned and urged respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Cuba condemned the raid as an act of aggression and accused Washington of reviving interventionist policies.
Iran called the arrest illegal and criticised the use of military force to achieve political outcomes.
In Latin America, Mexico rejected the use of force to resolve political disputes, while Brazil urged restraint and warned of humanitarian fallout. Colombia called for calm, stressing the need to avoid further displacement of civilians.
In Europe, the European Union said it was seeking clarification and emphasised that accountability must follow legal and multilateral processes. France said the arrest raised serious legal questions, while Germany supported efforts to combat drug trafficking but stressed respect for sovereignty. The United Kingdom said it was assessing the implications and prioritised regional stability.
UN
At the United Nations, several countries called for an urgent discussion on the legality of the operation. Diplomats said the arrest of a sitting president by a foreign power without UN authorisation would likely be raised at the Security Council, though divisions among permanent members were expected to limit any unified response.
UN officials said they were monitoring developments closely and urged all sides to avoid escalation and protect civilians.
Trump’s Warning to Latin America
Following the arrest, Donald Trump warned that Venezuela was not an isolated case. He accused regional governments of allowing drug cartels to operate freely and said the United States would no longer tolerate systems that protect traffickers.
Trump linked Maduro’s arrest directly to drug enforcement, migration and national security. Senior US officials echoed the message, saying the operation demonstrated that criminal indictments would be enforced when conditions allowed.
The comments unsettled governments across Latin America, raising concerns that Washington was signalling a broader shift toward unilateral action in the region.
Drug Markets React
Beyond politics, Maduro’s arrest disrupted global drug markets. Venezuela has long been a major transit route for cocaine shipments. Law enforcement agencies reported immediate increases in wholesale drug prices following the operation.
Smugglers raised rates to offset higher risks and uncertainty, with costs filtering down to street markets. Officials warned that disruptions could fuel violence among criminal groups competing for new routes.
What Happens Next
The arrest of Maduro has reshaped Venezuela’s political landscape and unsettled the wider region. Conflicting claims over civilian deaths, questions over legality and uncertainty over governance now dominate the situation.
What follows will depend on how Venezuela’s interim leadership manages stability and how international pressure evolves. What is clear is that the consequences of Maduro’s arrest extend far beyond Caracas, affecting diplomacy, security and illicit markets across the Americas.
