How Trump & Co sold the attack on Venezuela

In January 2026, The Listening Post reported on the alleged U.S. involvement in Venezuela. According to the report, the U.S. government, with the assistance of mainstream media, manufactured consent for military intervention, culminating in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was reportedly taken to a prison in New York City. The report claims the Trump administration shifted its narrative from combating a "narco-state" to seizing control of Venezuela's oil reserves. The report also briefly touches on protests in Iran and an interview with Jose Luis Granados Ceja about deciphering news from Venezuela.

According to a Guardian podcast, U.S. military forces allegedly removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power in Caracas early Saturday morning. The podcast reports that Maduro was taken from his home and flown to the U.S., where he was indicted on drug trafficking charges. This action follows months of a "maximum pressure campaign" by the Trump administration, accusing Maduro of drug trafficking and illegal immigration. The podcast features Julian Borger, who suggests this event could signal the end of the rules-based international order, raising concerns for countries like Denmark, Cuba, Mexico, and Iran. The podcast explores the implications of the U.S.'s use of military force in this situation.

Nicolás Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan leader, appeared in a Manhattan federal court on Monday, January 5, 2026, and pleaded not guilty to federal charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. Maduro, who was captured in Caracas on Saturday by Army Delta Force commandos and transported to the U.S., claimed he was "kidnapped" and declared himself a "prisoner of war." Despite his protests, Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein only confirmed his identity. Maduro's lawyer indicated they may challenge the legality of the arrest and the U.S. government's refusal to recognize him as Venezuela's legitimate president. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted, leaving Venezuela's future uncertain. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Maduro was a fugitive from American justice.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to drug and weapon charges in a New York City courtroom on Monday. Maduro, who claims he was kidnapped from his home in Caracas on January 3rd, declared himself a "prisoner of war" during the arraignment. The couple was arrested by US forces in Venezuela on Saturday in a surprise operation involving strikes on military bases. Dressed in jail attire, Maduro and Flores listened to the proceedings through Spanish translation headphones. The 40-minute hearing was held in the same courtroom where Sean "Diddy" Combs was previously tried.

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court to US charges of drugs, weapons, and narco-terrorism after being captured by US special forces in Venezuela on Saturday. The arraignment hearing was brief, with Maduro confirming his name and understanding of the four charges, each carrying a potential life sentence. Maduro, who insisted he was still president, claimed he was illegally captured and is a prisoner of war. His wife, Cilia Flores, also captured, appeared with injuries. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting, with some countries condemning the US action as a crime of aggression and a breach of international law. Maduro was initially indicted in 2020 as part of a drug-trafficking case.

In January 2026, global protests erupted in response to a U.S. action in Venezuela. Demonstrators gathered in cities from Paris to Sao Paulo to denounce what they characterized as U.S. aggression and imperialism. The protests were triggered by an announcement from Donald Trump that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela. This announcement followed the reported abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. Protesters worldwide are reacting to the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

Satellite imagery reveals damage to Venezuela's largest military base, Fuerte Tiuna, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro on Saturday. The images, released by Vantor, a space technology company, show that at least five buildings within the Caracas-based complex were destroyed. The damage also includes a gate and security building located in a wooded area near the compound. The imagery shows cargo containers and military vehicles near the destroyed buildings, but their contents are unknown. Fuerte Tiuna, built into a mountainside south of Caracas, is a military complex with fortifications and roads. The imagery provides visual evidence of the impact of the operation at the Venezuelan military base.

Explosions were reported in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, with the cause of the blasts currently unknown. The incident follows months of increasing pressure from the United States on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. government accuses of leading a "narco-terrorist" state and controlling drug trafficking groups. The U.S. military has increased its presence in the Caribbean since late August, engaging in operations against vessels allegedly involved in drug smuggling. These actions have resulted in numerous deaths and have been criticized as potential extrajudicial killings. The situation is ongoing, and further updates are expected.

In a phone interview with The New York Times on January 3, 2026, President Trump confirmed and celebrated the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Trump described the operation as "brilliant," citing "good planning" and "great troops." The interview occurred shortly after Trump announced the capture on social media. When asked if he had consulted Congress before the military action, Trump stated that they would discuss it later at a planned news conference. He declined to elaborate on the future of Venezuela or the justification for the mission, promising further details at the 11 a.m. press conference at Mar-a-Lago. The brief phone call lasted less than a minute.

In a phone interview with The New York Times, President Trump celebrated the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the leader of Venezuela, calling it a "brilliant operation." Trump did not address whether he had consulted Congress before authorizing the US military and law enforcement personnel to engage in a large-scale strike. He announced the news on social media earlier that morning, stating he would hold a news conference at 11 a.m. from Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence. The call lasted only 50 seconds, during which Trump declined to provide further details about the mission or its aftermath. Trump did not confirm whether he had sought congressional authority before taking action in Venezuela. He instead said "we'll discuss that" at a future news conference.

On January 3, 2026, explosions and smoke were reported in Caracas, Venezuela. The events occurred amid heightened tensions between Venezuela and the United States. Power outages were also reported near a key military base in the capital city. There were also reports of low-flying aircraft over Caracas. Al Jazeera reported on the situation, with Lucia Newman providing details as they became available. The cause of the explosions and the extent of the damage remain unclear.

A video shows the aftermath of explosions that occurred across Venezuela early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026. The video was filmed in the port city of La Guaira. Venezuelan President Maduro has declared a state of emergency in response to the explosions. Maduro is accusing the United States of orchestrating the strikes. The extent of the damage and the specific targets of the explosions are not detailed in the report.