'Extraordinary Bravery': Trump Confirms Capture Of Venezuela’s Maduro, No US Fatalities

United States President Donald Trump has lauded the “extraordinary bravery” of American special forces following the successful capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Speaking from the White House on January 3, the President confirmed that the high-stakes operation, conducted deep within Venezuelan territory, resulted in no American fatalities, though he noted that a “couple of guys” sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the extraction.

The Operation: Strike at Miraflores

The mission, reportedly carried out by an elite joint task force involving Navy SEALs and Delta Force operators, targeted the presidential residence in Caracas in the early hours of the morning. According to military sources, the operation was the culmination of months of intelligence gathering and coincided with a period of intense civil unrest within Venezuela. President Trump described the manoeuvre as “flawless” and “surgical”, asserting that the capture was necessary to end what the White House has termed a “narco-terrorist regime” that posed a direct threat to Western Hemispheric security.

While the Venezuelan military attempted to mount a defence, American air superiority and electronic warfare capabilities reportedly neutralised local communication networks. President Trump emphasised the efficiency of the unit, stating that the American public should be proud of a military that can “reach out and grab” those who defy international law. He further confirmed that Maduro and Flores are currently being held in a secure, undisclosed location for “processing” ahead of anticipated legal proceedings in US federal courts.

Geopolitical Context and Legal Fallout

The capture marks the most significant American military intervention in Latin America since the 1989 removal of Manuel Noriega in Panama. The move follows years of escalating sanctions and a March 2020 US Department of Justice indictment against Maduro for “narco-terrorism”, for which a $15 million reward had been offered. By executing this operation in early 2026, the Trump administration has effectively decapitated the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) leadership, leaving a profound power vacuum in Caracas.

International reaction has been swift and deeply polarised. While several regional allies in the Lima Group have expressed cautious support for a “transition to democracy,” traditional allies of the Maduro administration, including Russia and China, have condemned the act as a “blatant violation of international law and national sovereignty.” Within Venezuela, the situation remains volatile, with reports of both spontaneous celebrations and pro-government militia mobilisations. As Washington prepares for the legal battle ahead, the global community remains on edge, watching how this “maximum pressure” tactic will reshape the geopolitical map of the Americas.