Archive · 4 Jan 2026
US Captures Venezuelan Leader Maduro
On 3 January 2026, the US captured Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a surprise operation.
This happened early in the morning, similar to an operation the US did in Panama in 1989.
The US said Maduro is wanted for drug-related crimes.
Many people in the Americas might feel like they've seen this before because it's similar to the 1989 event.
The operation caused big travel problems in the Caribbean, with many flights cancelled.
Maduro is now in US custody, and his vice president is acting president of Venezuela.
US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a predawn operation on 3 January 2026.
The operation is similar to the 1989 US operation in Panama against General Manuel Noriega.
Maduro is wanted in the US for drug-trafficking charges, similar to Noriega's indictment.
The operation disrupted flights across the Caribbean, with hundreds of flights cancelled.
Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been named acting president of Venezuela.
- Who
- US forces
- What
- Launched a predawn operation to capture Nicolás Maduro
- When
- 3 January 2026
- Where
- Venezuela
- Why
- To seize Maduro on drug charges
- Date
- 3 January 2026
- Location
- Venezuela
- Target
- Nicolás Maduro
- Pretext
- Drug charges in US courts
- Precedent
- Similar to 1989 Panama operation
- US Troops Involved
- 15,000 in the Caribbean
- Aircraft Involved
- 150
- Casualties
- No US troops killed, some injured (exact number unclear)
