In a stunning dawn raid on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces launched Operation Absolute Resolve—a massive strike involving over 150 aircraft—disabling Venezuelan defenses and capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas.
President Trump hailed the "extraordinary" mission, framing Maduro as a narco-terrorism kingpin and announcing the U.S. will temporarily "run" Venezuela to stabilize it and "get the oil flowing" via American companies.
Maduro, now en route to New York for drug conspiracy charges, sparked fury from Venezuelan officials declaring emergency resistance, while global reactions split: condemnation from Russia, Iran, and many in Congress over sovereignty violations, versus cheers from Venezuelan opposition leaders dreaming of freedom.
This bold intervention echoes Panama 1989 and ignites fierce debate over justice, oil, and empire.
Link to article: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/