President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been CAPTURED BY US SPECIAL FORCES and flown out of the country following a "large scale strike" by the United States.

• CBS News
• Al Jazeera
• Bloomberg
• The War Zone
• CNN
• Mehr News Agency
• Pravda

• Maduro: CAPTURED BY DELTA FORCE
• Maduro's wife: CAPTURED
• Capture Unit: 1st SFOD-D (Delta Force)
• Extraction: 160th SOAR "Night Stalkers" - same unit that flew bin Laden raid
• Status: FLOWN OUT OF VENEZUELA (to USA)
• $50 MILLION REWARD was offered for his arrest
• Indicted in 2020 for narco-terrorism in Manhattan federal court

"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country"

• Role: Direct action mission to capture Maduro
• Location: Landed in Southern Caracas
• Status: Successfully extracted Maduro from bunker
• History: Same unit that killed Osama bin Laden (with SEAL Team 6)
• Base: Fort Bragg, North Carolina

• Role: Helicopter insertion and extraction
• Aircraft Used:
  • MH-47 Chinook - confirmed over Caracas (video evidence)
  • MH-60 Black Hawk - likely used for extraction
• History: Flew the bin Laden raid in 2011
• Motto: "Night Stalkers Don't Quit"
• Spotted: In Caribbean since October 2025 on MV Ocean Trader

• Role: Support operations
• NYT reported SEALs were considered for Maduro mission
• Likely involved in island seizures

• Role: Seized Venezuelan Caribbean islands
• Location: Northern approaches to Venezuela
• Operating on Venezuelan territory

• Role: Ground combat support
• Location: Caracas streets
• Engaged Venezuelan military

1. 2:00 AM - Airstrikes destroy air defenses, military bases
2. Cyber attacks disable radar and communications
3. 160th SOAR helicopters insert Delta Force into Caracas
4. Delta Force locates Maduro in bunker under Simón Bolívar Airport
5. Breach and capture - Maduro and wife taken
6. Extraction - Night Stalker helicopters fly them out
7. Flown to USA - Maduro now in US custody

• Expected to become Vice President under opposition president-elect
• Plans to return to Venezuela immediately
• Had stated: "Maduro will leave power, whether negotiated or not"
• Dedicated her Nobel Prize to Trump
• Supports US military pressure against Maduro
• 2025 Nobel Peace Prize - "For tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela"
• Spent over a year in hiding after opposition defeated Maduro in 2024 election
• December 2025: US Special Forces (Grey Bull Rescue Foundation, Bryan Stern) extracted her from Venezuela to Oslo for Nobel ceremony
• On US military action: "I will welcome more and more pressure so that Maduro understands that he has to go"
• On Trump: "He is a champion of freedom in this hemisphere"

• Constitution may need to be rewritten
• Power-sharing arrangements needed
• Avoiding punitive measures against Maduro loyalists
• Securing cooperation of armed forces
• 29 million Venezuelans affected

SCHEDULED: 11:00 AM ET (January 3, 2026) LOCATION: Mar-a-Lago

Expected to provide full details on the operation and Maduro's capture.

Note: Trump acted while Congress is in recess (resumes Jan 5-7)

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez: "We do not know where President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores are. We demand proof of life."

• FAA banned all flights over Venezuela due to "potentially dangerous situation"
• US Embassy in Colombia issued stay-at-home order for Americans in Venezuela
• Senate Armed Services Committee was NOT informed in advance of military action
• Colombia deployed additional troops along border with Venezuela
• Polish PM Donald Tusk: "US strikes on Venezuela will have consequences around the world"

Source: The Guardian reports governments and families say many dead were civilians—primarily fishers.

• DELTA FORCE LANDED in Southern Caracas - GROUND COMBAT
• GUN BATTLES / SHOOTOUTS between US and Venezuelan forces
• US MARINES LANDED ON VENEZUELAN ISLANDS in Caribbean
• MADURO CAPTURED in operation
• STREET FIGHTING in Caracas
• CYBER ATTACKS on Venezuela's radar and air defense systems
• 11+ STRATEGIC FACILITIES ATTACKED - full list released by Colombia
• DEFENSE MINISTER PADRINO LOPEZ KILLED - US airstrike on his home (CONFIRMED)
• SEVERAL SENIOR OFFICIALS KILLED in strikes (UNCONFIRMED)
• MIRAFLORES PALACE - armored vehicles, Presidential Guard deployed, panic reported
• FIRE BURNING at Fuerte Tiuna - largest military complex
• 160th SOAR MH-47 CHINOOKS confirmed over Caracas
• STATE OF EMERGENCY declared by Maduro
• VENEZUELA NOW "RELATIVELY QUIET" - initial phase may be complete
• WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT PENDING - after military leaves airspace
• CONGRESS NOT INFORMED - in recess until Jan 5-7
• RUSSIAN EMBASSY NOT DAMAGED - statement coming

TOTAL: At least 11 facilities attacked (per Petro)

• Conflicting reports on location during attack:
  • Some say US airstrike hit his home in Caracas
  • Al Jazeera reports he was at Fuerte Tiuna Air Base
• No official confirmation of death
• Started with reports of him "not getting in touch"

• Under Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía
• Direct connection to presidential hangar for air escape

• Maduro reportedly hiding in bunker "like a rat"
• Government has NOT confirmed

• ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS deployed on streets
• PRESIDENTIAL GUARD guarding perimeter
• ROADS BLOCKED - area cordoned off
• DEFENSE PLAN activated around palace
• PANIC REPORTED - vehicles lining up near compound
• MOST AIRSTRIKES occurring near Miraflores area
• Maduro's location: REPORTEDLY IN BUNKER

• Trump signs Executive Order 14157 directing State Dept to label drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations
• US Navy announces "Operation Southern Spear" for integrating robotic/autonomous systems

• Trump administration designates Tren de Aragua, MS-13, and six Mexico-based groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

• US begins naval buildup in southern Caribbean
• USS Iwo Jima and Amphibious Ready Group deployed
• Trump directs armed forces to use military force against Latin American drug cartels

• September 2: First boat strike kills 11 people on alleged Venezuelan drug boat
• US military begins executing airstrikes on vessels in Caribbean Sea
• Venezuela orders "Independence Plan 200" military response mechanism
• Venezuela shows off Russian fighter jets in Caribbean military exercise

• Strikes expand to Eastern Pacific Ocean
• USS Gravely arrives in Trinidad and Tobago (Oct 26)
• US expresses interest in temporary military radar base in Grenada
• Defense Secretary Hegseth orders USS Gerald R. Ford to Caribbean
• October 8: Senate resolution requiring congressional approval FAILS 51-48

• November 6: Senate votes against requiring congressional approval for Venezuela strikes
• November 11: USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group arrives - 15,000 US personnel in region
• November 13: Operation formally named "Operation Southern Spear" by Hegseth
• November 13: Venezuela mobilizes 200,000 troops in largest military exercise in 20+ years
• UK suspends intelligence sharing with US - considers strikes illegal
• France, Netherlands also limit intel sharing
• By late November: LARGEST US MILITARY PRESENCE SINCE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS (1962)
• Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guyana, Panama, Puerto Rico support US
• Argentina, Ecuador, Paraguay show political support
• November 26: Dominican Republic grants US access to San Isidro Air Base

• December 16: US lists Gulf Clan (Colombia's largest armed criminal group) as FTO
• December 17: Trump announces naval blockade of Venezuela
• December 17: Trump delivers national address (no mention of Venezuela)
• December 17: Venezuela sends letter to UN requesting emergency Security Council meeting
• December 17: Senate passes NDAA with bipartisan amendment requiring Hegseth to provide unedited strike footage
• Mid-December: US begins seizing crude oil tankers, imposes naval quarantine
• December 23: UN Security Council holds emergency briefing on Venezuela
• December 24-26: CIA drone strike on Venezuelan port facility (first land attack)
• December 25: Originally planned strike date - postponed due to Nigeria ISIS operations + weather
• December 31: 5 boats struck, 5 killed (New Year's Eve)
• By December 31: 115+ killed in 35+ strikes on 36 vessels
• US oil enforcement cuts Venezuelan exports by 76%

• Venezuela detains several Americans
• Venezuela releases some prisoners amid US pressure
• US Coast Guard searches for survivors in Pacific

• Maduro urges Trump to abandon "illegal warmongering"
• Maduro expresses openness to "serious talks"
• Maduro interview recorded with Ignacio Ramonet, broadcast on VTV
• US fighter jet forays reported as possible rehearsal

• At least 7 explosions rock the Venezuelan capital
• Low-flying aircraft heard over Caracas
• 160th SOAR MH-47 Chinook helicopters with troops confirmed
• Special Operations helicopters reported
• CNN journalists witness multiple explosions
• Parts of Caracas lose electricity
• Siren-like alarms heard across the city
• Residents run into streets
• Blasts light up night sky
• Large fireball seen

• Miraflores Palace locked down with APCs
• Panic reported at Presidential compound
• Defense Minister Padrino Lopez reportedly killed (UNCONFIRMED)
• Senior officials reportedly killed (UNCONFIRMED)
• Maduro's whereabouts unknown

• FAA issues emergency NOTAM banning all US aircraft over Venezuela
• Flightradar24 confirms: Zero aircraft over Venezuela

• White House statement expected after military leaves airspace (WSJ)
• Russian Foreign Ministry statement coming (Zakharova confirmed)
• Reports of US troops landing on Venezuelan islands (UNVERIFIED)
• Reports of Special Forces in combat operations (UNVERIFIED)

• MQ-9 Reaper drones - confirmed via missile fragment analysis
• Drone-launched missiles
• 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) MH-47 Chinook helicopters

• DELTA FORCE (1st SFOD-D) - Landed in Southern Caracas
• SHOOTING BATTLE at Delta Force landing site
• US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES - Engaged in combat operations
• US MARINE CORPS SPECIAL FORCES - Involved in ground invasion
• US MARINES - Landed on Venezuelan islands in Caribbean
• GUN BATTLES between US forces and Venezuelan military in Caracas
• MISSION TYPE: Possibly targeted operation to arrest/eliminate Maduro & officials

• 160th SOAR MH-47 Chinooks - Confirmed over Caracas (video)
• MH-60 Black Hawks - Likely present (The War Zone)

• Originally planned for Christmas Day (Dec 25) - postponed:
  • Nigeria ISIS strikes took precedence
  • Weather conditions delayed further
• Trump gave green light days before January 3
• Secret legal memo authorizing strikes (reported)
• Trump held national security meeting in Florida before strikes

• CASUALTY COUNT NOT YET CONFIRMED
• Defense Minister Padrino Lopez reportedly killed (UNCONFIRMED)
• Several senior officials reportedly killed (UNCONFIRMED)

• The Guardian: Many killed were civilians - primarily fishers
• AP: Dead included "fisherman, motorcycle taxi driver, laborers, two low-level career criminals"
• Most were first-time crew members, not cartel leaders
• UN Human Rights Chief: Strikes have "no justification under international law"

President Nicolás Maduro:

• STATUS: WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN (per NYT)
• Part of entourage reported safe
• Signed STATE OF EMERGENCY before losing contact
• Declared "state of external disturbance" / "External Commotion"
• Ordered implementation of all national defense plans
• 200,000 troops mobilized in November exercises

Government Statement (via TeleSUR):

"Venezuela denounces the United States' aggression against Venezuelan territory and population."

"The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela's strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals."

"PEOPLE TO THE STREETS!"

• Called attack a violation of UN Charter
• Called for immediate UN Security Council meeting
• Venezuela reserves right to "legitimate defense"

Venezuelan Foreign Ministry:

• Called purpose of invasion: "seizure of strategic resources, oil and mineral wealth"
• "Forcefully undermine Venezuela's political independence"

White House:

• ATTACK CONFIRMED (per American media)
• Statement pending after military leaves airspace

White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly:

"President Trump promised to take on the cartels — and he has taken unprecedented action to stop the scourge of narcoterrorism that has resulted in the needless deaths of innocent Americans. All of these decisive strikes have been against designated narcoterrorists bringing deadly poison to our shores."

Trump (earlier statements):

• "We want it back" - demanded Venezuela return "land, oil rights"
• "It's going to be starting on land pretty soon"

Pentagon: Refusing comment - referring to White House

Congress:

• Senate Armed Services Committee NOT NOTIFIED in advance (CNN)
• Congress in RECESS until Jan 5-7 (Trump chose timing)
• Senator Brian Schatz: "No vital national interests in Venezuela to justify war... stupid adventure... not even bothering to tell the American public what the hell is going on"
• Prior resolution requiring approval FAILED 51-48 (Oct 8)
• Democrats and some Republicans pushed back but votes failed

"Cuba condemns and urgently demands a response from the international community to the criminal attack by the United States on Venezuela." "Our peace zone is under a brutal attack. This is state terrorism." "Homeland or death. We will win."

"We are on the side of the people of Venezuela and President Maduro! This banditry should not go unpunished."

"Their fight is our fight."

• Denounced "acts of modern piracy"
• "Unshakeable, brotherly and militant solidarity" with Maduro government
• Called it "dangerous threat to peace and stability" in Latin America/Caribbean

• Foreign Ministry statement coming soon (Zakharova confirmed to Izvestia/TASS)
• Vice Speaker Kosachev: "No substantial grounds... international law has been violated"
• Previously called US actions "piracy and banditry"
• Russian embassy in Caracas NOT DAMAGED
• No organized Russian tourists in Caracas (per ATOR)
• Reality: Unlikely to provide military support

• CONDEMNED THE ATTACK
• Accused US of "violating international law"
• Called US actions "unilateral bullying"
• XI JINPING'S ENVOY WAS IN CARACAS hours before attack
• UNCLEAR IF CHINESE DELEGATION ESCAPED before strikes began
• Foreign Minister Wang Yi opposed "unilateral bullying"
• Reality: Did NOT provide military support

• Foreign Ministry strongly condemned attack (January 3, 2026)
• Called it "clear violation of UN Charter Article 2, paragraph 4"
• "Complete example of aggressive action"
• Demanded UN condemn the attack
• Called it "serious violation of regional and international peace and security"

Posted on X:

"At this moment they are bombing Caracas... They are bombing with missiles. At least 11 strategic facilities. They hit the Parliament building." "The OAS and UN must meet immediately."

• Published full list of attacked facilities
• Stopped sharing intelligence with US over strikes

• President Lula rejected "foreign intervention"
• Aide Celso Amorim: "It could inflame South America and lead to radicalisation"
• Called on UN to tamp down tensions

• President Claudia Sheinbaum supports "self-determination of peoples"
• Called on UN to reduce tensions
• Invoked Estrada Doctrine (non-interference)

• SUPPORTS THE STRIKES
• "We are very grateful to [Trump] and his administration"
• "I will welcome more and more pressure so that Maduro understands he has to go"
• Spokesman David Smolansky confirmed Fuerte Tiuna was hit
• Won Nobel Peace Prize 2025

• Dominican Republic (granted base access)
• El Salvador
• Guyana
• Panama
• Puerto Rico
• Argentina (political support)
• Ecuador (political support)
• Paraguay (political support, designated Cartel de los Soles as FTO)
• Trinidad and Tobago (hosted US troops)

• HALTED INTELLIGENCE SHARING - considers strikes illegal
• Attorney General Richard Hermer warned against "assassination operations"
• Secretary Rubio denied UK stopped sharing intel

• HALTED INTELLIGENCE SHARING
• Declared strikes "violated international law"
• Concerned about overseas Caribbean territories

• LIMITED INTELLIGENCE SHARING
• Concerned about Caribbean territories

"These attacks — and their mounting human cost — are unacceptable. The US must halt such attacks. There is no justification under international law."

• Venezuelan oil exports cut by 76%
• 800,000+ barrels/day removed from global markets
• Oil prices jumped on tanker seizure news
• Brent crude: +0.8% to $62.35/barrel
• WTI: rose to $58.46

• Multiple oil tankers seized
• More tankers turning away from Venezuela
• Naval quarantine on sanctioned vessels

• US federal court ordered sale of PdV-owned CITGO
• To satisfy outstanding legal claims

• Extended December 2025 through January 2027
• Citing "persistent actions undermining democracy"

• Iberia (Spain)
• TAP (Portugal)
• Avianca (Colombia)
• LATAM (Chile)
• GOL (Brazil)
• Caribbean Airlines (Trinidad & Tobago)

• Colombia (Petro)
• Mexico (Sheinbaum)
• Brazil (Lula)
• Nicaragua
• Cuba

• Argentina
• Ecuador
• Paraguay
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador

• Venezuela requests emergency session
• Cites "US aggression", expects "armed attack"

• Emergency briefing held
• Russia/China supported Venezuela
• Nicaragua: "Their fight is our fight"
• US Ambassador Waltz: US doesn't recognize Maduro
• No concrete action taken

• Venezuela calling for new emergency meeting
• Colombia calling for immediate OAS/UN meeting
• Cuba demanding international response

• Al Jazeera LIVE BLOG
• NBC News Live Updates
• CBS News Live Updates
• Washington Post Live
• CNN Live Updates
• ABC News Live
• Zee News India Live
• Newsweek Live

• AP News
• New York Times
• CNN
• Al Jazeera
• Fox News
• NBC News
• NPR
• Bloomberg
• France 24
• Britannica

• The War Zone - Special Ops Helicopters
• The War Zone - MQ-9 Reaper evidence
• Military.com
• War on the Rocks
• SOFREP
• DefenseScoop

• Council on Foreign Relations
• Atlantic Council
• Stimson Center

• Izvestia - Zakharova statement

• 2026 Venezuelan explosions
• Operation Southern Spear
• US Strikes on Drug Traffickers
• US Military Buildup in Caribbean

Document Status: RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SITUATION Last Updated: January 3, 2026 Total Sources: 70+ Refresh sources frequently for latest updates

• Trump administration accuses Maduro of leading drug cartel
• US demands return of "land, oil rights"
• Operation Southern Spear anti-narcotics campaign since September
• Venezuela has world's largest proven oil reserves
• Tren de Aragua gang designated as FTO
• "Maduro regime" designated as FTO

• Largest US military buildup in Caribbean since Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
• 15,000 US personnel deployed
• Aircraft carrier, F-35s, multiple destroyers
• 115+ killed in boat strikes before land attack
• 11+ facilities struck in one night

• MADURO CAPTURED - Now in US custody, will face trial in Manhattan
• TRUMP PRESS CONFERENCE - 11:00 AM ET at Mar-a-Lago
• TRANSITION OF POWER - Machado/González to take control
• UN Security Council emergency meeting likely
• Continued ground operations to secure Caracas
• REGIME CHANGE COMPLETE - Opposition to form new government
• Russia/China condemned but did NOT intervene
• Regional tensions remain high
• Oil markets in flux
• Humanitarian situation developing
• Venezuelan military surrendering or resisting in pockets

This was a FULL-SCALE REGIME CHANGE OPERATION:

• Airstrikes destroyed military capability
• Special Forces captured leadership
• Island seizures controlled access
• Decapitation strike on government (Parliament, military command, Defense Minister killed)
• MISSION ACCOMPLISHED - Maduro captured and extracted

The United States executed a full-scale military operation against Venezuela, resulting in:

1. MADURO CAPTURED - President and wife flown to USA
2. DEFENSE MINISTER KILLED - Padrino Lopez died in airstrike
3. 11+ FACILITIES DESTROYED - Military bases, airports, Parliament
4. REGIME CHANGE - 25+ years of Chavismo ended
5. OPPOSITION TAKES POWER - María Corina Machado to become VP

• Panama 1989 - Noriega captured
• Iraq 2003 - Saddam Hussein captured (later)
• Libya 2011 - Gaddafi killed

• Largest US military action in Caribbean since Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)
• First capture of a sitting foreign president by US forces in modern era
• 15,000 US troops deployed
• Aircraft carrier strike group
• Delta Force (1st SFOD-D) - captured Maduro
• 160th SOAR "Night Stalkers" - flew the extraction
• Same units that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011

Document compiled in real-time during the operation. Location: C:\Users\Squir\OneDrive\WW3 Last Updated: January 3, 2026