Nicolás Maduro, the longtime leader of Venezuela, was captured during a U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026, and taken out of the country to face federal charges in the United States.
According to international reports, U.S. forces carried out strikes on strategic locations in Caracas before detaining Maduro and transferring him by helicopter and ship, eventually sending him to New York.
Following his removal, Venezuela entered a period of political transition. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership as interim president while Maduro remains detained abroad.
The dramatic operation triggered protests inside Venezuela, with thousands of supporters demanding his release, while foreign governments expressed mixed reactions and concerns over sovereignty and stability.
