CARACAS, VENEZUELA – January 4, 2026 – In a dramatic and highly controversial move that has sent shockwaves across the globe, United States military forces carried out a “large-scale” operation on Saturday to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The audacious strike, confirmed by a White House press conference today, saw elite US units extract Maduro, who is now reportedly en route to New York to face long-standing “narco-terrorism” charges.
In the wake of the operation, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would “oversee an interim government” in Venezuela, declaring that Washington would “run” the country to ensure a “judicious transition to democracy.” The move has ignited a fierce international outcry, with major powers condemning the action as an illegal violation of national sovereignty.
The Operation: “Eagle Claw Remastered”
Details of the Saturday night operation remain scant, but sources within the Pentagon suggest it was a complex, multi-pronged assault dubbed “Operation Eagle Claw Remastered.”
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Elite Forces: Reports indicate that elements of the Delta Force and Navy SEALs were involved, targeting multiple locations simultaneously to prevent Maduro’s escape.
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Targeted Extraction: The primary objective was reportedly the presidential palace, Miraflores, though unconfirmed reports suggest Maduro was apprehended at a discreet location outside Caracas.
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No US Casualties Reported: The White House confirmed that there were no US casualties, though the extent of Venezuelan resistance, if any, remains unclear.
President Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, stated, “Maduro’s reign of corruption and tyranny is over. We have liberated the Venezuelan people from a dictator who trafficked drugs and brutalized his own citizens. The United States will now ensure a safe and proper transition for a true democracy.”
Global Condemnation and Regional Fallout
The international reaction has been swift and overwhelmingly negative from key global players:
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China: Beijing’s Foreign Ministry issued an immediate and stern condemnation, calling the action a “flagrant violation of international law and the sovereignty of a member state of the United Nations.”
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Russia: Moscow demanded the “immediate release” of President Maduro, with the Kremlin warning of “catastrophic consequences for regional stability.”
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European Divisions: While some European nations expressed concerns about the humanitarian situation in Venezuela, several, including France and Germany, criticized the unilateral military intervention, emphasizing adherence to international norms.
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Latin America: The move has deeply divided Latin America. While the US-backed interim government has received support from nations like Colombia and Brazil, Mexico and Argentina have strongly denounced the intervention, fearing a precedent for future US military actions in the region.
Venezuela’s Leadership Vacuum
In Caracas, the political landscape is in chaos.
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Acting President: Venezuela’s Supreme Court, loyal to Maduro, has reportedly sworn in Vice President Delcy RodrÃguez as acting president, though her control over the military remains uncertain.
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Interim Government: The US is expected to formally recognize opposition leader Juan Guaidó or another figure as the head of an interim government, but the path to establishing full control is fraught with peril.
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Military Loyalty: The loyalty of the Venezuelan armed forces is now the most critical factor, with conflicting reports emerging about their response to the US operation.
As Maduro is reportedly flown to face justice in the US, the world holds its breath, uncertain of the immediate and long-term consequences of this audacious intervention. The “Venezuela Strike” will undoubtedly become a defining moment in 21st-century geopolitics.
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