U.S. Forces Apprehend Maduro in Caracas, Flores Also Detained; Face Charges in New York
U.S. forces apprehended former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on Saturday. The couple subsequently appeared in federal court in New York on January 5, 2026, facing charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, to which they pleaded not guilty.
In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was named interim president by the Supreme Court, a move recognized by the Venezuelan military. The U.S. administration has indicated engagement with Rodriguez while maintaining a broader policy to influence Venezuela's future.
Operation Details
U.S. forces, supported by military elements including the Delta Force, conducted an operation in Caracas on Saturday, resulting in the apprehension and extraction of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. had "successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela" for their capture.
Administration officials briefed lawmakers on Monday evening, stating that Maduro and Flores sustained head injuries during their apprehension. They reportedly hit their heads on a low door frame while attempting to conceal themselves behind a heavy steel door within their compound. Delta Force operators administered first aid after their apprehension.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed approximately 200 U.S. personnel were on the ground in Caracas during the operation.
Arraignment and Charges
On Sunday, Maduro and Flores arrived in New York. On January 5, 2026, they appeared in Manhattan federal court, presided over by Judge Alvin Hellerstein. Maduro, escorted into the courtroom in shackles, stated, "I am the president of Venezuela" and affirmed he was captured at his home in Caracas.
He pleaded "innocent" and "not guilty" to the charges, reiterating his claim to the presidency. Maduro's attorney, Barry Pollack, indicated a potential challenge to the legality of his client's military abduction and a possible assertion of protection from prosecution as a head of state.
"I am the elected president. I am a prisoner of war. I will be free."
— Nicolas Maduro, as he was led from the courtroom.
Cilia Flores, identifying herself as the first lady of Venezuela, also pleaded "not guilty" and "completely innocent" to the three counts she faces. Her attorney, Mark Donnelly, reported that Flores sustained injuries during the military operation, including a visible bruise on her head, and requested a medical briefing. Both Maduro and Flores requested consular visits.
Maduro and Flores did not request bail and will remain in federal custody at MDC-Brooklyn. The next court date is scheduled for March 17.
They are among six defendants named in a four-count superseding indictment, which accuses them of conspiring with alleged drug traffickers over a 25-year period. The charges include narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Maduro has consistently denied all allegations.
Other defendants in the indictment include Maduro's son, two high-ranking Venezuelan officials, and an alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang. U.S. officials, including those from the previous Biden administration, had previously stated Maduro was not considered the legitimate president of Venezuela and offered a $25 million reward for his arrest in January 2025.
Venezuelan Leadership Transition
Following Maduro's extraction, Venezuela's military announced its recognition of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the country's acting leader. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez issued a statement endorsing a Supreme Court ruling that appointed Rodriguez as interim president for a 90-day period. Rodriguez, who is next in the presidential line of succession, had served as Maduro's vice president since 2018, overseeing economic affairs and the intelligence service.
The Venezuelan Supreme Court described Maduro's capture as a "kidnapping." Rodriguez publicly characterized Maduro's capture as "barbaric" and an "illegal and illegitimate kidnapping" in a state television broadcast, describing the U.S. actions as an attack on Venezuela's sovereignty and demanding the "immediate release" of Maduro and his wife.
She later issued a statement on social media inviting the U.S. government to collaborate on a cooperation agenda for shared development within international law, indicating openness to dialogue and "respectful relations." Defense Minister Padrino Lopez urged Venezuelan citizens to resume normal economic, work, and educational activities, emphasizing that "The homeland must follow its constitutional course."
U.S. Administration Outlook
President Trump stated on Saturday that the U.S. had communicated with Rodriguez, noting her reported willingness to "do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again." He was quoted stating that:
"if she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."
— President Donald Trump
On Sunday, President Trump reiterated that the U.S. is "in charge" of Venezuela and stated the U.S. would "run" the country for an unspecified period, citing a lack of leadership. He indicated that a team of U.S. Cabinet officials and a local Venezuelan team would manage the country, with plans for international oil companies to invest and utilize resources for Venezuela's benefit.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Sunday that conversations with Rodriguez and the Venezuelan government are "delicate and complicated things that require mature statesmanship," adding that U.S. goals remain consistent. Administration officials maintained that Maduro's capture was not a regime change operation, citing that the Venezuelan government largely remains intact and is now led by Deputy President Delcy Rodriguez.
Secretary Rubio has served as the primary contact for the administration with Delcy Rodriguez. Briefers confirmed months of discussions with both Delcy Rodriguez and her brother Jorge Rodriguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly. These discussions were described as attempts to prompt behavioral change within the Venezuelan government rather than efforts to facilitate Maduro's ousting.
The administration views Rodriguez as more pragmatic than Maduro and as a potential counterpart for engagement. It was suggested that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado would be unable to control the government's security forces. This policy direction was informed by a classified CIA analysis on the implications of Maduro's removal and the near-term leadership situation in Venezuela.
The administration anticipates that its ongoing pressure campaign, including a naval presence in the Caribbean, will provide sufficient leverage to influence Rodriguez's decisions, particularly regarding rebuilding Venezuela's oil infrastructure and potentially allowing American companies to operate there.
Injuries and Casualties
Defense Minister Padrino Lopez stated on Sunday that some of Maduro's bodyguards were killed during the U.S. operation, without providing specific figures. President Trump confirmed on Saturday that some U.S. forces were injured but reported no fatalities.
Administration officials reported that some Delta Force operators sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including bullet wounds and shrapnel, during a firefight with a Cuban quick reaction force near Maduro's compound. The operators are expected to recover fully.
Regarding casualties among Venezuelan or Cuban forces, officials did not provide a precise estimate. Cuba's government reported 32 of its military and police officers were killed. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, suggested the number was likely higher, describing a "raging gunfire battle" where the majority of casualties were inflicted upon the Cuban guard.
In court, Flores' attorney stated she "sustained significant injuries" during her abduction, expressing concern about a potential fracture or severe bruising on her ribs and requesting an X-ray and full physical evaluation. Reporters in court noted Flores swaying and dipping her head. Courtroom sketches depicted Flores with bandages on her head. Administration officials, however, characterized Flores' head injury as minor during their briefing to lawmakers. Maduro reportedly struggled with sitting and standing in court.