Former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, suffered visible injuries while attempting to evade capture during a dramatic US military operation in Caracas, according to reports from American officials.
The Raid and Capture Details
US Delta Forces stormed the couple's compound in the early hours of Saturday, 3 January 2026, breaching the property and taking the occupants by surprise. Sources told CNN that Maduro and Flores tried to hide behind a heavy steel door inside a safe room but bumped their heads on a low door frame in their haste to escape.
The injuries occurred before the special forces team secured them. The pair were given first aid after being seized. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, confirmed the raid took place around 1am, with troops using flash-bang grenades to disorient those inside.
Court Appearance with Visible Injuries
The couple were swiftly transported to New York to face serious narcotics charges. During a court appearance on Monday, 5 January, Maduro pleaded not guilty to charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy. Courtroom sketches showed Flores with bandages on her head.
Her attorney stated she had sustained "significant injuries" during the abduction, potentially including fractured or severely bruised ribs, and requested a full medical evaluation. Footage of Maduro's transfer showed him walking with a pronounced limp, though US administration officials later described the injuries as minor.
Legal Proceedings and Flight Risk Concerns
In court, Maduro declared himself a "prisoner of war" and claimed he had been kidnapped. Neither defendant applied for bail on Monday, though their lawyers indicated they might in future. Legal experts suggest bail is highly unlikely to be granted.
Both face charges that could result in life sentences, including conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and possession of machine guns. Prosecutors are expected to argue they are extreme flight risks, given Maduro's former position and international connections.
