A woman reacts as Venezuelans living in Chile gather to celebrate, after the United States struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Reuters
Explainers
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Firstpost04-01-2026, 11:00

US Captures Venezuela's Maduro in Daring Raid; Trump Vows to Run Nation Temporarily

  • Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and wife Cilia Flores captured by US Delta Force in a lightning strike at Fort Tiuna, Caracas.
  • Maduro is now held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, facing drugs and weapons charges in New York.
  • US President Donald Trump announced the capture, stating the US will "run Venezuela" for a temporary, judicious transition.
  • The operation involved US aircraft targeting air defenses, choppers extracting Maduro from his home, with no US casualties.
  • Venezuela's VP Delcy Rodríguez condemned the "kidnapping," with a court ordering her interim presidency; the country's future remains uncertain.

Why It Matters: US forces captured Nicolas Maduro, sparking a leadership crisis and uncertain future for Venezuela.

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