U.S. Seizes Maduro — Venezuela’s President Captured, Tried in New York, Global Outrage Erupts

In a startling escalation, U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, 2026 — exactly 35 years after the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama that netted dictator Manuel Noriega. Trump administration officials confirmed the arrest, labeling Maduro “the head of the Cartel de Los Soles, a narco‑terror organization,” and announced he would face trial in New York on drug‑trafficking charges.

The operation, reportedly tracked with CIA intelligence inside the Venezuelan government, saw Maduro detained in Caracas and flown to the USS Iwo Jima before transfer to U.S. soil. A “trophy” photo of the president aboard the warship was released by Trump’s team.  Follow & Share Our WhatsApp Channel

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez swiftly declared Maduro “the only president” and warned that “what was done to Venezuela today could happen to any country in the region.” The nation’s Supreme Court appointed her acting president pending further decisions.

International condemnation was immediate:

• - Hamas denounced the abduction as a “grave violation of international law,” calling for UN Security Council action.
• - Belarus’ Lukashenko demanded an emergency UN session and reaffirmed support for Venezuela’s “legitimate government.”
• - China condemned “the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state,” urging Washington to respect the UN Charter.
• - Brazil’s Lula called the move “an unacceptable affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty” and warned it sets a dangerous precedent.
• - Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin declared the capture “the start of World War III,” arguing that international law is now dead and great powers will rewrite the rules.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Starlink began offering free broadband to Venezuelans “in support of the people,” while former CIA officer Larry Johnson warned that “armed Venezuelans may not take kindly to a foreign occupation.”

Opposition leader María Corina Machado said her camp is “ready to take over the government,” but the Venezuelan Defense Chief vowed, “We will not surrender.”

Venezuela sits atop the world’s largest proven oil reserves — 303 billion barrels — yet production remains stunted by U.S. sanctions. Analysts suggest the seizure is also a bid to secure control over those resources.

The White House has said it will “run Venezuela until a safe transition can take place,” as the country braces for either reunification under remaining loyalists or a U.S.-backed opposition takeover.