The US launched a military strike on Venezuelan territory on January 3, 2026, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in an operation President Trump said was coordinated with the government in Caracas. The operation, dubbed Absolute Resolve, began around 2:00 a.m. local time and lasted roughly two and a half hours.
What happened in Caracas
US special forces struck military infrastructure in Caracas, targeting air defenses and military sites before moving to apprehend Maduro at his private compound. The entire operation clocked in at approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes.
At least seven US soldiers were injured during the operation. Venezuelan casualties were also reported, though precise figures remain disputed.
Following his capture, Maduro and Flores were flown to New York, where both face indictments on narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges. Trump subsequently declared that the US would manage Venezuela until a political transition could occur.
