What We Know About the U.S. Operation in Venezuela and Maduro’s Capture

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Aimee Ortiz, Hannah Ziegler and Yan ZhuangJanuary 4, 2026 at 11:06 AM

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long article 4 min

In January 2026, U.S. forces conducted a military operation in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. President Trump announced the U.S. intended to "run" Venezuela following the capture. Maduro was transported to New York City to face federal drug and weapon charges. The operation, ordered by Trump, involved 150 aircraft and ground troops, encountering significant resistance and resulting in at least 40 deaths. The Trump administration framed the mission as a law enforcement operation, bypassing typical congressional oversight for military actions. The intervention has sparked both protests and celebrations in the U.S.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Caracas 30% Marco Rubio 35% New York City 40% Dan Caine ×240% Cilia Flores ×250% Venezuela ×580% United States ×785% Donald Trump (Trump) ×890% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) ×895%

Keywords

nicolás maduro 100% venezuela 90% u.s. operation 90% capture 80% u.s. forces 70% military intervention 70% trump administration 60% drug and weapon charges 60% oust authoritarian leader 50% law enforcement operation 50%