U.S. Vice President JD Vance pushed back on Wednesday against claims that the United States kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, calling the military
raid a 'lawful' operation. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said the U.S. acted on a 'legitimate' indictment. "We engaged in a law enforcement action," he claimed. "We had a 'legitimate' indictment for Maduro for narco-terrorism, weapons smuggling and trafficking, and we went in with the best military in the world." Vance stressed that Maduro has been offered due process under the U.S. legal system.
JD Vance on Maduro’s capture:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) January 8, 2026
That’s not a kidnapping. That’s a law-enforcement operation. pic.twitter.com/DbIXufMCxC
"Maduro's capture was not a kidnapping but a law enforcement operation," he said. He added that the move helps the U.S. in bigger ways, including "gaining leverage on our enemies, and demonstrating our military excellence."
Read more: 'To Maintain Peace, Carry Strong Sword': US Vice President JD Vance On America's Venezuela Operation
"What President Trump said was in our neighborhood, the United States calls the shots," Vance continued. "That's the way it's always been, that's the way it is again under the President's leadership." Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, appeared in a New York court earlier this week. They face charges of narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, weapons smuggling, and trafficking.
Both have denied all the charges. Speaking through an interpreter, Maduro told the court he is innocent. "I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country," he said, according to Reuters. The judge cut him off at that point. "I'm here kidnapped since January 3, Saturday," Maduro added, referring to the raid on the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas. Visuals of Maduro's wife's bruised face have gone viral on social media.
