Chavismo paramilitary colectivos deployed on the streets of Caracas between 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. UTC on Jan. 5, 2026, terrorizing citizens and kidnapping individuals celebrating the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to an X post by journalist @EmmaRincon. Venezuelans took to the streets in 30 countries and 130 cities worldwide during the same 29-minute period to celebrate Maduro's detention as a step toward transition in Venezuela, with opposition leader MarÃa Corina Machado thanking President Donald Trump for his administration's firmness, per her X post. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham stated on X that Maduro's takedown leaves no path forward for Cuba's Communist dictatorship, crediting President Trump, in a post shared within the reporting window. The U.S. Department of War announced it is initiating retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f) against Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, for seditious statements from June through December 2025 criticizing U.S. military operations including Maduro's capture, according to an X post by @SecWar. Secretary Hegseth issued a Letter of Censure to be placed in Kelly's file, with the process to conclude within 45 days. These developments follow Venezuela's decree earlier between 2:15 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. UTC directing police to arrest supporters of the U.S. operation, as reported in prior statements.
