Nicolás Maduro was reported captured in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, during a large-scale U.S. military operation often described as part of “Operation Absolute Resolve.”

Quick Scoop

  • Multiple major outlets and official briefings state that U.S. forces entered Venezuela in the early hours of January 3, 2026 (Caracas local time), targeting Maduro’s compound near Caracas.
  • U.S. officials then announced later that day that Maduro and his wife had been apprehended and flown out of Venezuela to face criminal charges in the United States.
  • The operation involved extensive airstrikes and more than 150 aircraft, indicating it was a large, preplanned mission rather than a small covert raid.

What “Captured in Venezuela” Means Here

  • “Captured in Venezuela” refers to the moment during the operation when U.S. forces reached Maduro’s location near Caracas, secured the site, and placed him in custody before transporting him out of the country.
  • Public timelines describe the raid as beginning in the very early morning of January 3 (around 2 a.m. local), with officials confirming his capture and removal later that same day.

Ongoing Debate and Reactions

  • Venezuelan authorities and Maduro allies have denounced the operation as a violation of sovereignty and, at least initially, demanded proof of life and more details, which created some confusion in early reporting.
  • Online forums and social media have been full of discussion, memes, and arguments over the legality, the precedent it sets, and what U.S. “management” of Venezuela might look like going forward.

Latest News and Trending Context

  • As of early January 2026, coverage focuses on what comes next: possible transitional arrangements in Venezuela, court proceedings in the U.S., and the broader geopolitical fallout of Washington capturing a sitting foreign leader.
  • Commentators are also debating how this operation fits into a trend of using military power combined with criminal indictments to remove leaders accused of corruption, drug trafficking, or human rights abuses.

TL;DR: Maduro was captured during a U.S. raid near Caracas in the early hours of January 3, 2026, and then flown out of Venezuela the same day to face charges in the United States.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.