US Forces Capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and Wife in Caracas Raid - January 2026

President Donald Trump announced that American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a large-scale military operation in Caracas. Following the raid, Maduro and his wife were charged with multiple serious criminal offenses, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy. In response to the operation, which included air and missile strikes on multiple targets, the Venezuelan government declared a nationwide state of emergency, condemning the attacks as a “grave military aggression”. The European Union has called for restraint and adherence to international law. The action caused a political split in the US, with some Democratic lawmakers condemning the raid as unconstitutional, while Republicans defended the action, citing Maduro's indictment.