Trump Celebrates Maduro Capture Following US Military Strikes in Venezuela
The geopolitical landscape of the Western Hemisphere has been fundamentally altered following reports of the Maduro Capture in Venezuela, a stunning development that came in the wake of targeted US military strikes across Caracas. On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the Venezuelan capital was rocked by a series of powerful explosions as American forces conducted what has been described as a precision operation against key regime strongholds.
In a high stakes phone interview shortly after the news broke, President Donald Trump celebrated the mission’s success, hailing the removal of Nicolás Maduro as a historic victory for democracy and a long overdue liberation for the Venezuelan people.
The military intervention began in the early morning hours, with residents in Caracas reporting heavy smoke and the sound of anti aircraft fire near the Miraflores Presidential Palace. Sources indicate that the operation was designed to neutralize the regime’s command and control infrastructure while paving the way for a transition of power.
During his interview, Trump took significant credit for the strategic pressure that led to this moment, asserting that his administration’s persistent stance against the socialist government laid the necessary groundwork. He described the capture as a “great day for the world,” emphasizing that the era of oppression in the region had reached a definitive conclusion.
As the smoke clears over Caracas, the international community remains in a state of shock, with many world leaders calling for immediate stability and the protection of civilian life. The US military presence in the region appears to be focused on securing vital installations and preventing a power vacuum that could lead to further civil unrest.
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While the details of the capture itself remain classified, the shift in momentum is undeniable. For the millions of Venezuelans who have endured years of economic collapse and political turmoil, the news represents a glimmer of hope, though the road to total national reconstruction remains fraught with logistical and security challenges.
10 Things to Know About Nicolás Maduro
- He began his political career as a bus driver in Caracas before becoming a prominent trade union leader.
- Maduro served as the Foreign Minister of Venezuela from 2006 to 2013 under his predecessor, Hugo Chávez.
- He was handpicked by a dying Hugo Chávez to lead the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and the nation.
- Maduro took office in 2013 following a highly contested and narrow election victory against Henrique Capriles.
- His presidency was marked by hyperinflation, which at one point reached over 1,000,000 percent, devastating the national economy.
- He oversaw the creation of the Constituent Assembly in 2017, a move widely criticized as an attempt to bypass the opposition led National Assembly.
- During his tenure, over 7 million Venezuelans fled the country, creating one of the largest displacement crises in the world.
- The United States and dozens of other nations recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim president in 2019, challenging Maduro’s authority.
- Maduro frequently accused the United States of “economic warfare” and orchestration of various coup attempts against his administration.
- His capture in 2026 marks the end of a thirteen year rule characterized by deep international sanctions and internal civil resistance.