New York, January 4, 2026 — In an unprecedented move, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been taken into U.S. custody after a large-scale military operation authorized by President Donald Trump, raising immediate questions about the future of Venezuela and sparking international debate.
The capture of Maduro marks a dramatic escalation in U.S. involvement in Venezuelan affairs and signals a potentially significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of Latin America.
- More than 150 aircraft were involved in the operation targeting Caracas.
- Maduro is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
- President Trump has asserted the U.S. will “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can occur.
- Reactions to the capture have been mixed, with protests and celebrations erupting both within Venezuela and among its diaspora communities.
Maduro and his wife arrived in New York Saturday night following their seizure from a compound in Caracas, according to reports. A video released by the White House shows Maduro, clad in a black hoodie, walking through a hallway labeled “DEA NYD” at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, where he wished an onlooker a “Happy New Year.” He is expected to appear in court as early as Monday.
President Trump has claimed the U.S. will “run” Venezuela following Maduro’s capture, and earlier shared a photograph of Maduro in handcuffs en route to New York. Maduro has been indicted on several offenses, including Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy. When pressed for details on who would be in charge in Venezuela, the president offered little clarity.
The operation involved over 150 aircraft – including fighter jets, helicopters, and bombers – after Trump gave the order Friday night. Democrats have accused the president of launching the sweeping military action due to oil interests, rather than concerns over drug trafficking.
Venezuelans React to Maduro’s Capture
The capture of Maduro has elicited a range of responses from the Venezuelan people. In Caracas, some took to the streets to protest the U.S. operation, while others celebrated. At a demonstration in the capital, Mayor Carmen Melïndez joined a crowd demanding Maduro’s return, chanting, “Maduro, hold on, the people are rising up! We are here, Nicolas Maduro. If you can hear us, we are here!”
In other parts of Caracas, streets were reportedly empty in the hours following the attack. “How do I feel? Scared, like everyone,” said Caracas resident Noris Prada, who sat on an empty avenue looking at his phone. “Venezuelans woke up scared. Many families couldn’t sleep.”
Conversely, in Doral, Florida, home to a large Venezuelan community, people celebrated with Venezuelan flags, food, and music, chanting “Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!” Similar scenes unfolded in Colombia and Argentina.
International Response and Legal Questions
The U.S. operation has drawn criticism from various international actors. China’s foreign ministry called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, stating the U.S. action violated international law and norms. The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the situation on Monday, at the request of Colombia.
In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated his government would “shed no tears” over the end of Maduro’s regime, adding that the U.K. would discuss the situation with U.S. counterparts. However, a close ally of Starmer, Darren Jones, declined to comment on the legality of the U.S. action, stating it was a matter for international courts.
Delcy Rodríguez has been installed as Venezuela’s acting president following Maduro’s detention. The Constitutional Chamber ordered that she assume the office to ensure “administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation.” Rodríguez has denounced the U.S. operation as illegal and called for Maduro’s immediate release.
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