Trump Announces Capture of Venezuela’s Maduro; Caracas Demands Proof of Life After U.S. Strikes

On January 3, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major military operation against Venezuela, declaring that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and flown out of the country following large-scale strikes. Trump posted the claim on social media, saying the operation was conducted “in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement,” and that further details would follow. 

According to Trump, the strikes represent one of the most direct U.S. military actions in Latin America in decades. Multiple explosions were reported in Caracas and other regions early Saturday, with loud blasts and low-flying aircraft creating chaos in the capital. Venezuelan officials quickly blasted the action as an imperialist attack, accusing the U.S. of violating Venezuela’s sovereignty. 

Shortly after the reports, Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, appeared on state television, saying the government does not know the current whereabouts of Maduro or his wife. Rodríguez demanded that the United States produce immediate “proof of life” for both leaders, stressing that Caracas had no confirmation of their capture or their location. She condemned the U.S. action as a “brutal and bloody attack” that threatens the lives of Venezuelans and violates international law. 

Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López also criticized the strike, urging citizens to resist and defend the nation’s independence, while Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello called on people not to cooperate with what he termed a “terrorist enemy.” The government announced a form of emergency status, mobilizing forces in response to the strike. 

The U.S. claims come amid longstanding tensions between Washington and Maduro’s government, which Washington has accused of narcotrafficking, authoritarian rule, and human rights abuses. Trump had previously threatened military action and increased pressure on Caracas in recent months, including naval deployments and sanctions. Maduro has consistently denied involvement in criminal activities and has portrayed the U.S. as seeking control of Venezuela’s vast oil resources. 

International responses are rapidly developing, with some governments condemning the U.S. strike as a breach of sovereignty, while others emphasize the need for clarity on the situation. The demand for proof of life now stands as a key issue in the immediate aftermath, with global attention focused on confirmation of the Venezuelan president’s status and the broader geopolitical consequences of the U.S. action.