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Updated: BREAKING: US Captures Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Wife; Military Sites Hit
UPDATE:
Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are now being held in a Brooklyn, NYC detention facility, awaiting their trials, after being taken in Caracas, Venezuela by helicopter, ship, plane, and driven in late last night. He greeted law enforcement as he was taken in – he should be in court as early as Monday for arraignment.
Reaction to the US actions in Venezuela break according to expected party lines. Leading all reactions is that of the Venezuelan people, either in country or in Chile, Miami, New York, or in other locations scattered around the world – dancing in the streets, tears, flag waving, and almost a sense of disbelief that their experience could be on the way to being over.
The White House held a news conference where the President addressed the nation on the particulars of the effort as well as plans for the future which include temporarily “running the country” until a new government can be put in place.
Also announced was a takeover of the oil fields and production sites, with the assistance of others (presumed to be oil companies) to repair and update their economic driver. Venezuelan has the most oil reserves of anywhere in the world. The President also said he will take some of the oil to repay the US, and invest the rest in fixing the industry and in rebuilding the country.
Groups called “Communist”have had small demonstrations, including one in RI by Cranston Forward which began at 3 and ended before the 5:30pm news. Their flyer was out within a few hours of the events unfolding.
The local demonstration and poster circulating by Cranston Forward mimics those seen around the US calling on the bombing to stop – notably the US had military strikes over 22 minutes and was in and out of the country within 1 hour.
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The indictment: Here is a link to the indictment the Maduros will face:
https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1422326/dl
It includes 4 sets of charges: Narcoterrorism – Cocaine importation conspiracy – Possession of machine guns and destructive devices – Conspiracy to Possess Machine guns and destructive devices against the United States
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This morning, approx. 2am ET, the United States began a bombing and drone attack on military locations inside Venezuela, in the Caracus area.
Within hours, President Trump announced that President Maduro has been captured and flown out of the country
Where was Maduro taken?
Nicolás Maduro is under an existing federal indictment. Given that, Miami is the overwhelmingly likely destination. He is likely now on the USS General Ford. Other possible locations would be Washington, DC or New York or Texas, but Miami is the most likely.
UPDATE: It has been announced that Maduro will be taken to NYC and stand trial there. Maduro is now on the Iwo Jima Aircraft Carrier on the way to the US – and eventually to jail in NY. Pres. Trump acknowledges one US helicopter was damaged but did not crash. Soldiers are ok, though there were a few injuries.
Military actions now seen as primarily diversional, and out of residential areas to capture Maduro and his wife in their bed and take them out of their country.
This will be seen as a signature moment of the Trump administration – positive or negative.
Here is a quick recap of the Venezuelan actions and history – followed by other actions taken by past US Presidents:
Why Venezuela
The United States’ long-running conflict with Venezuela centers on a mix of political, security, and economic concerns. Washington has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the government led by Nicolás Maduro, citing disputed elections, democratic backsliding, and human rights abuses. U.S. officials accuse Venezuelan authorities of tolerating—or directly enabling—large-scale narcotics trafficking and organized crime networks that operate throughout the region. In addition, Venezuela’s deepening ties with U.S. adversaries, including Russia, Iran, and China, have heightened security concerns, while repeated breakdowns in negotiations over sanctions relief and election reforms have kept relations tense. Together, these factors have made Venezuela a persistent foreign policy flashpoint for successive U.S. administrations.
The United Nations acknowledges that Venezuela is the centerpiece of drug trafficking in the western world. There has been a $50M bounty on Maduro’s capture.
What Happens Next?
This is fluid and developing rapidly, but based on patterns from similar operations and current reporting:
1. US expected to have a statement some time this morning.
2. Short-term (next 24–72 hours): Likely follow-up strikes if targets remain active. U.S. could expand to more sites (e.g., air defenses, command centers) to degrade Maduro’s response capability. Venezuela may activate air defenses or mobilize forces, but its military is outmatched and it is known to them that it is. What we are seeing are precision attacks.
3. Escalation risks:
-
- Ground operations are unlikely. Possible limited raids by special forces to seize key sites or even capture leaders), but full invasion remains unlikely due to logistics.
- Maduro regime collapse or flight now —opposition/exiles could gain ground.
- Not expected that other countries, while issuing statements opposed to US actions, will take any step to support Venezuela at this time
- U.S. flights over Venezuela; airspace closed.
4. De-escalation – Important to know that 8 of 10 Venezuelan are supportive of actions to take down this administration, and have encouraged the US to intervene. Once begun, it is unikely there will be a retreat unless Maduro steps down or complies (e.g., on drugs/oil/assets).
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The mainstream leftist media in the west are FURIOUS with Maduro being taken down
Meanwhile in Venezuela crowds are erupting in joy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JDJn72qm1r
— Basil the Great (@BasilTheGreat) January 3, 2026
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U.S. Overseas Strikes Under Recent Presidents (2009–2026)
Barack Obama (2009–2017)
- Airstrikes/Bombs: 92,000–100,000+ total munitions dropped (peaks in Iraq/Syria/Afghanistan; 26,171 in 2016 alone).
- Drone Strikes (non-battlefield focus: Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia): 500–600 total (Pakistan 373–430; Yemen 158–185; Somalia 32–34).
- Countries Struck: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia
- Troops at End of Term: Afghanistan 8,400; Iraq 5,200.
- Summary: Largest sustained air/drone campaign in U.S. history, focused on counterterrorism and ISIS. Relied on 2001 AUMF; some transparency via reporting rules.
Donald Trump (First Term: 2017–2021)
- Airstrikes/Bombs: 50,000–67,000 total (e.g., 39,000–43,000 in 2017; 7,423 in Afghanistan 2019). Included MOAB drop (2017).
- Drone Strikes (focused): 300–500 (e.g., Yemen ~104; Somalia ~202–219 total across term).
- Major Strikes: Syria missile strikes (2017: 59 Tomahawks; 2018 joint); Soleimani drone killing (2020, Iraq).
- Countries Struck: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan, Libya (7 countries).
- Summary: High early volume, escalation in some areas, high-profile targeted killings, fewer disclosure requirements.
Joe Biden (2021–2025)
- Airstrikes/Bombs: 20,000–26,000 total munitions; significantly lower volume overall (historic lows in 2022: 36 strikes globally). Spikes in 2024 Yemen (hundreds in joint US-UK ops vs. Houthis).
- Drone & Airstrikes: 50–100 focused (Somalia 20–51; Yemen dozens; Syria/Iraq retaliatory dozens). Tightened rules emphasizing “near certainty” no civilians.
- Countries Struck: Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia (primarily; Afghanistan early 2021 only) (4–5 countries).
- Summary: Reduced overall compared to predecessors; focused on retaliation (e.g., vs. Iran-backed groups, Houthis) and restraint, though 2024 Yemen campaign was intense.
Donald Trump (Second Term: 2025–present)
- Airstrikes/Bombs: Major surge—626+ strikes by late 2025 (ACLED/Military Times); Yemen campaign (Operation Rough Rider, March–May 2025) intense, with hundreds of strikes; additional ops in Somalia (118+), Nigeria (Dec 2025 ISIS strikes), Syria, Iraq, others.
- Drone Strikes: Escalated (e.g., Somalia doubled/tripled prior rates; Yemen leadership targeting). Reversed Biden restrictions, giving commanders more authority.
- Countries Struck in 2025: At least 7 (Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Nigeria, others; reports of Caribbean/Latin America ops).
- Summary: Expansion—loosened rules, new interventions (e.g., Iran facilities June 2025, Nigeria Christmas strikes). 2025 strikes exceeded some full prior administrations in specific theaters
Comparison Table
| President | Estimated Bombs/Munitions (Total) | Drone Strikes (Focused/Non-Battlefield Est.) | Countries Hit (Primary) | Key Notes |
| Obama (2009–2017) | 92,000–100,000+ | 500–600 | 7 | Largest sustained campaign; ISIS focus |
| Trump (2017–2021) | 50,000–67,000 | 300–500 | 7 | High volume early |
| Biden (2021–2025) | 20,000–26,000 | 50–100 | 4–5 | Lowest volume |
| Trump (2025–) | 626+ strikes | Escalated | 7 | Major surge; new theaters |
All figures conservative ranges. Across these administrations (2009–early 2026), the U.S. has dropped well over 200,000 bombs/missiles and conducted thousands of drone/airstrikes across 7+ countries. Overseas military strikes remain a routine tool of U.S. policy—escalating under both Trump terms, peaking in scope under Obama, and restrained but not eliminated under Biden.
Sources include Airwars, ACLED, New America Foundation, Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Council on Foreign Relations, U.S. Africa Command/CENTCOM releases, and major reporting (e.g., Al Jazeera, Military Times, Antiwar.com). Figures vary by methodology—official U.S. often lower; independents higher due to open-source tracking.
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Documented Atrocities and Human-Rights Abuses since 2013, in the Maduro regime:
- Extrajudicial killings
- Venezuelan security forces and special police units have been accused of thousands of unlawful killings, often staged as “resistance to authority.”
- Victims were frequently young men in poor neighborhoods.
- Documented by:
- United Nations (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights)
- Human Rights Watch
UN finding: Many killings were systematic and coordinated, not isolated incidents.
- Torture and cruel treatment of detainees
- Political prisoners and protesters reported:
- Electric shocks
- Suffocation
- Beatings
- Stress positions
- Sexual violence
- Conducted by intelligence agencies and military counterintelligence units.
Documented by:
- UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela
- Amnesty International
- Arbitrary detention of political opponents
- Thousands detained without due process, including:
- Opposition politicians
- Journalists
- Student leaders
- Human-rights defenders
- Many held for months or years without trial.
The UN found detentions were used to silence dissent and intimidate the population.
- Violent repression of protests
- Security forces used:
- Live ammunition
- Military-grade weapons
- Armored vehicles
- Hundreds killed and thousands injured during protests (notably 2014, 2017, 2019).
UN investigators concluded the response was grossly disproportionate.
- Crimes against humanity (formal finding)
In 2020 and 2022, the UN Fact-Finding Mission concluded there were reasonable grounds to believe crimes against humanity were committed, including:
- Murder
- Imprisonment
- Torture
- Rape and sexual violence
- Persecution on political grounds
This is a legal classification under international law, not a rhetorical term.
- Electoral manipulation and democratic dismantling
- Elections widely described as:
- Neither free nor fair
- Conducted under repression
- Lacking independent oversight
- Opposition candidates barred, jailed, or forced into exile.
This led to non-recognition of legitimacy by many democratic governments.
- Deliberate humanitarian neglect
- Policies and corruption linked to:
- Collapse of health care
- Food shortages
- Widespread malnutrition
- Aid was reportedly withheld or politicized, particularly from opposition areas.
- Forced displacement of civilians
- Over 7 million Venezuelans have fled the country, one of the largest displacement crises in the world.
- International agencies attribute this to:
- Repression
- Economic collapse tied to governance failures
- Fear of persecution
Documented by:
- UNHCR
- Targeting of media and free speech
- Independent outlets shut down
- Journalists arrested or assaulted
- Internet and broadcast censorship used during protests and elections
- International criminal investigation
- The International Criminal Court has opened a formal investigation into alleged crimes against humanity related to Venezuela.
This is rare and significant.
Why “illegitimate” is widely used
- Multiple elections rejected as invalid by:
- The European Union
- Organization of American States
- Numerous democratic governments
- Power maintained through coercion, not competitive elections, according to observers.
Important editorial note (for publication)
For legal accuracy, news outlets typically use phrasing such as:
“Human-rights groups and UN investigators have documented…”
“According to a UN Fact-Finding Mission…”
“The ICC is investigating alleged crimes against humanity…”
This is a developing story…