In a stunning escalation of U.S. foreign policy, American Special Forces executed a high-stakes raid in Caracas on January 3, 2026, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” the mission involved advanced drones and precision strikes to apprehend the couple, who were swiftly transported to New York to face long-standing federal indictments on narco-terrorism charges.
The operation marks a dramatic turn in the U.S. government’s pursuit of Maduro, who was indicted in 2020 by the Department of Justice for his alleged involvement in the Cartel de los Soles, a narcotics trafficking network purportedly run by Venezuelan military and government officials. Prosecutors claim Maduro conspired to flood the United States with tons of cocaine, using his position to facilitate drug shipments and launder profits. Flores, often referred to as Venezuela’s “First Combatant,” faces similar accusations of aiding the cartel.
According to sources familiar with the mission, U.S. forces infiltrated the Venezuelan capital under the cover of night, deploying unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and targeted strikes to neutralize security details. Eyewitness accounts from Caracas described hearing explosions and seeing flashes in the sky, leading to widespread confusion and brief power outages in parts of the city. Maduro and Flores were extracted without reported civilian casualties, though Venezuelan state media condemned the action as an “imperialist invasion.”
President Donald Trump addressed the nation from the White House shortly after the raid’s success was confirmed, praising the operation as a decisive blow against international drug trafficking. “This is justice served,” Trump declared in a televised statement. “For too long, Maduro has poisoned our streets with drugs while oppressing his own people. Today, we show the world that America will not stand idly by. Our brave special forces have brought this narco-terrorist to face the music.”
The capture has ignited jubilation across Venezuela, where years of economic collapse, hyperinflation, and political repression under Maduro’s regime have fueled widespread discontent. Social media footage captured crowds pouring into the streets of Caracas and other cities, waving Venezuelan flags and chanting “¡Libertad!” (Freedom). Many were seen in tears of joy, hugging strangers and thanking the United States for intervening. “This is the end of the nightmare,” said one anonymous demonstrator in a viral video. Opposition leaders, including figures aligned with Juan Guaidó’s interim government-in-exile, have called for immediate elections to restore democracy.
However, the raid has drawn sharp criticism from domestic and international quarters. In the United States, progressive voices such as Senator Bernie Sanders decried the action as an “unconstitutional overreach” that bypasses Congress and international law. “This sets a dangerous precedent,” Sanders stated in a press release. “We cannot unilaterally kidnap foreign leaders, no matter how reprehensible their actions. Diplomacy, not military adventurism, should guide our foreign policy.”
Globally, the operation has sparked outrage over violations of national sovereignty. The United Nations Secretary-General issued a statement urging restraint and calling for an emergency Security Council meeting. Leaders from Russia, China, and Cuba—longtime allies of Maduro—condemned the raid as “aggression” and pledged support for Venezuela’s interim leadership. Reports have emerged of protests outside U.S. embassies in several Latin American countries, with demonstrators accusing Washington of neocolonialism.
As Maduro and Flores await arraignment in a New York federal court, legal experts anticipate a protracted trial that could reveal intricate details of the Cartel de los Soles’ operations. The Venezuelan government, now under the control of Maduro’s vice president, has declared a state of emergency and vowed to seek the couple’s extradition back to Caracas.
This event could reshape U.S.–Latin American relations, potentially emboldening further interventions against authoritarian regimes while risking broader geopolitical tensions. Global News Wire will continue to monitor developments as they unfold.
