How U.S.–Venezuela Conflict Escalated and Led to Maduro’s Capture
In a significant military escalation, the U.S. conducted strikes in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, capturing President Maduro amid rising tensions over drug trafficking. The Venezuelan government condemned the strikes, declaring a state of emergency.
By : Online Desk
Update: 2026-01-03 12:26 GMT
A series of developments over several months culminated in a dramatic military escalation on January 3, 2026, when the United States launched strikes inside Venezuela and President Nicolás Maduro was reported to have been captured and flown out of the country.
In August 2025, the U.S. government authorised an expanded military campaign targeting drug cartels in Latin America, significantly increasing its naval and aerial presence in the Caribbean. As part of this pressure campaign, Washington doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture to $50 million, citing alleged links between his government and international drug trafficking networks.
By late 2025, U.S. forces had carried out multiple operations against vessels suspected of narcotics trafficking in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Several oil tankers transporting Venezuelan crude were also seized under sanctions enforcement, further straining relations between the two countries.
In December 2025, the U.S. approved its first reported land-based strike inside Venezuela, targeting a dock area believed to be used for loading drugs. This marked a significant shift from maritime interdictions to direct action on Venezuelan territory.
In the days leading up to January 3, 2026, Maduro publicly signalled openness to dialogue with the United States on drug trafficking and migration, while continuing to deny allegations against his administration.
In the early hours of January 3, the U.S. launched a large-scale military operation targeting sites across northern Venezuela, including locations in Caracas. Explosions were reported in the capital and surrounding regions. Shortly after, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been captured and removed from the country by American forces, though independent confirmation was not immediately available.
Following the strikes, the Venezuelan government condemned the action as military aggression, declared a state of emergency, and called on citizens to mobilise. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof of life for Maduro and said his whereabouts were unknown.
The escalation marked a sharp departure from previous U.S. actions against Venezuela and raised concerns about regional stability and international law.