In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former US President Donald Trump has declared that Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has been apprehended by American forces following a military operation.
Trump's Social Media Announcement
Taking to his Truth Social platform on Saturday 03 January 2026, Trump made the explosive claim. He stated that the United States had executed a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its president.
"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country," Trump wrote in his post.
He further asserted that the action was coordinated with U.S. law enforcement agencies. Trump announced he would hold a press conference at 11 am from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Immediate Fallout and Flight Ban
The claims follow reports of a series of explosions rocking the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. In response to the unfolding situation, the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) issued an immediate ban on all US commercial flights within Venezuelan airspace.
The FAA cited "ongoing military activity" as the reason for the prohibition, a move that underscores the severity of the events on the ground.
Regional and Global Implications
This development marks a severe intensification in the long-standing political crisis in Venezuela and represents a direct intervention by the United States. The capture of a sitting head of state by a foreign power is an event with profound diplomatic and legal ramifications.
The situation remains fluid, with the international community awaiting verification of Trump's claims and official statements from the US government regarding the nature and legality of the operation.
