U.S. Ambassador to Mexico saluted the bravery and precision of U.S. forces in extracting Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from Venezuela without casualties during a mission executed earlier on January 4, 2026, in an X post shared over the past hour, according to @USAmbMex. The ambassador, with over 40 years in special operations, described the operation as reflecting hallmarks of success through speed and audacity by U.S. military, law enforcement and agencies, opening an opportunity for Venezuelans to reclaim freedom after years under Maduro's narco-terrorist regime; he also praised President Donald Trump for authorizing the decisive action, per the post. Separately, FAA restrictions on Caribbean airspace imposed early January 4 in support of the operation expired at 12:00 a.m. ET, allowing flights to resume, with airlines updating schedules, according to an update from @SecDuffy shared in the reporting window. A Polymarket account created yesterday invested over $30,000 in markets on U.S. action against Venezuela and Maduro's exit by January 31, profiting around $400,000 after his custody overnight, as noted in an X post by @JoePompliano; related trading activity was reported as recently as four hours ago. These developments follow Maduro's capture and escort with wife Cilia Flores to the New York DEA office earlier January 4, amid U.S. negotiations for a Venezuelan power transition led by Delcy RodrĂguez, as previously reported.
