U.S. Delta Force captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife early Saturday, January 3, 2026, in Caracas during a military operation ordered by President Donald J. Trump, flying them out of the country, U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News between 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. UTC. The action targeted national security threats including drug trafficking and alliances with Iran, China, Russia, Cuba, Hezbollah, and Hamas, according to MarioDB citing regime activities. Venezuela's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López confirmed his survival from the strike operation and issued his first statement since Maduro's capture, per sentdefender on X. Padrino stated forces will resist foreign troops, according to Reuters. Cries of celebration emerged in Caracas following the capture announcement, as reported by VVperiodistas_ on X. No Venezuelan government official has confirmed Maduro's arrest as of 10:15 a.m. UTC, per EfectoCocuyo. CBS and UHN_Plus reported the Delta Force involvement, building on President Trump's earlier announcement at around 9:30 a.m. UTC. Maduro faces prior U.S. charges from 2020 in New York for human rights abuses and drug trafficking, noted PollTracker2024. International reactions included Ansarullah's statement via Mehrnews condemning the U.S. as a source of terrorism. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reiterated plans to react amid 11 citizens in Venezuela. Sky News cited correspondent Stuart Ramsay noting potential dangers post-capture.
