Venezuelan citizens living in Spain celebrate in Madrid on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on Venezuela.- AFP
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Firstpost03-01-2026, 22:03

Maduro Captured by US Forces; Machado Hails "Hour of Freedom," Calls for Transition

  • Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces and flown out of the country, announced US President Donald Trump.
  • Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado declared "the hour of freedom" and urged opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia to assume the presidency.
  • The opposition and Western countries deemed Maduro's 2018 and 2024 election wins fraudulent, recognizing Gonzalez as the rightful president-elect.
  • Concerns arise about an orderly and peaceful transition, with discussions on a transitional government possibly involving current opposition and military elements.
  • Divergent views exist within the opposition regarding whether Machado or Gonzalez should lead the post-Maduro government, despite Machado's Nobel Peace Prize.

Why It Matters: Maduro's capture sparks hope for Venezuela's transition, but challenges remain for a stable future.

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