The Capture of Nicolás Maduro: Difference between revisions
Truthseeker (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
Truthseeker (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
Trump later stated publicly that Maduro and Flores had been captured and would be taken to the United States to face prosecution.<ref>CBS News live updates (January 3, 2026). https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/</ref> | Trump later stated publicly that Maduro and Flores had been captured and would be taken to the United States to face prosecution.<ref>CBS News live updates (January 3, 2026). https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/</ref> | ||
== Verification | == Verification and confirmation == | ||
Venezuelan officials | |||
Following the initial announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, Venezuelan officials disputed claims that Nicolás Maduro had been captured and demanded proof of life, stating that his whereabouts were unknown. | |||
On January 4, 2026, Al Jazeera broadcast video footage showing Maduro landing at a U.S. Air Force base in New York. The footage depicted Maduro being escorted from a military aircraft by multiple DEA and FBI agents under heavy security. The broadcast marked the first independent visual confirmation of Maduro’s presence in U.S. custody and effectively resolved earlier disputes regarding the authenticity of the capture. | |||
After the release of the footage, Venezuelan authorities did not immediately issue a formal response, while international media widely reported the confirmation. | |||
== Legal proceedings == | == Legal proceedings == | ||
Revision as of 22:47, 3 January 2026
The capture of Nicolás Maduro refers to the detention of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by United States authorities following a U.S. military operation announced on January 3, 2026. After initial uncertainty and denials from Venezuelan officials, international media later broadcast video confirmation showing Maduro arriving in the United States.
On January 3, 2026, Al Jazeera aired video footage showing Maduro landing at a U.S. Air Force base in the New York area, where he was escorted from the aircraft by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The footage provided the first independent visual confirmation that Maduro was in U.S. custody.
Background
Maduro has served as Venezuela’s president since 2013. Relations between the United States and Venezuela deteriorated sharply during his tenure, with Washington imposing sanctions and pursuing criminal cases linked to alleged drug trafficking and related offenses.[1]
Reported operation and announcement
On January 3, 2026, explosions and military activity were reported in and around Caracas amid a large-scale U.S. strike.[2]
Trump later stated publicly that Maduro and Flores had been captured and would be taken to the United States to face prosecution.[3]
Verification and confirmation
Following the initial announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, Venezuelan officials disputed claims that Nicolás Maduro had been captured and demanded proof of life, stating that his whereabouts were unknown.
On January 4, 2026, Al Jazeera broadcast video footage showing Maduro landing at a U.S. Air Force base in New York. The footage depicted Maduro being escorted from a military aircraft by multiple DEA and FBI agents under heavy security. The broadcast marked the first independent visual confirmation of Maduro’s presence in U.S. custody and effectively resolved earlier disputes regarding the authenticity of the capture.
After the release of the footage, Venezuelan authorities did not immediately issue a formal response, while international media widely reported the confirmation.
Legal proceedings
U.S. officials said Maduro and Flores would face U.S. criminal charges, including alleged drug trafficking-related offenses.[4]
International reaction
International responses were divided, with some governments condemning the operation and others expressing support for political change in Venezuela.[5]
Timeline of events
| Time / sequence | Event |
|---|---|
| Early reports | Explosions and military activity reported in and around Caracas during U.S. strikes.[6] |
| Later that day | Donald Trump announces Maduro and Flores were captured and would face U.S. prosecution.[7] |
| Same day (media reporting) | Major outlets report Maduro and Flores were transported out of Venezuela toward U.S. custody.[8] |
| Same day (Venezuelan government response) | Venezuelan officials dispute confirmation and demand proof of life.[9] |
| Ongoing | International reactions emerge, including condemnations and support.[10] |
See also
References
- ↑ Associated Press. "The Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife" (January 3, 2026). https://apnews.com/article/e62f2c0d48bd3214529960c6edf6e753
- ↑ Al Jazeera. "Explosions heard over Venezuelan capital Caracas amid US tensions" (January 3, 2026). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/3/explosions-heard-over-venezuelan-capital-caracas-amid-us-tensions
- ↑ CBS News live updates (January 3, 2026). https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/
- ↑ Associated Press. "The Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife" (January 3, 2026). https://apnews.com/article/e62f2c0d48bd3214529960c6edf6e753
- ↑ Al Jazeera. "World reacts to US bombing of Venezuela, ‘capture’ of Maduro" (January 3, 2026). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/3/world-reacts-to-reported-us-bombing-of-venezuela
- ↑ Al Jazeera. "Explosions heard over Venezuelan capital Caracas amid US tensions" (January 3, 2026). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/3/explosions-heard-over-venezuelan-capital-caracas-amid-us-tensions
- ↑ CBS News live updates (January 3, 2026). https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/
- ↑ Associated Press. "The Latest: US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro and his wife" (January 3, 2026). https://apnews.com/article/e62f2c0d48bd3214529960c6edf6e753
- ↑ Al Jazeera. "Trump bombs Venezuela, US ‘captures’ Maduro: All that we know" (January 3, 2026). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/3/trump-bombs-venezuela-us-captures-maduro-all-that-we-know
- ↑ Al Jazeera. "World reacts to US bombing of Venezuela, ‘capture’ of Maduro" (January 3, 2026). https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/3/world-reacts-to-reported-us-bombing-of-venezuela