Delta Force dragged Nicolás Maduro from his bedroom at 2 AM on January 3, threw him on a helicopter, and flew him to the USS Iwo Jima bound for Manhattan. The Venezuelan president now faces narco-terrorism charges in the same courthouse that convicted El Chapo.
His wife Cilia Flores—indicted for the first time—sits in the cell next to him with fractured ribs and head injuries from the raid. On January 5, both pleaded not guilty. Maduro told the judge he remains Venezuela's president and declared himself a 'prisoner of war.'
This wasn't a snap decision. Maduro stole Venezuela's July 2024 election, Trump launched Operation Southern Spear killing 107 people on suspected drug boats, and the State Department designated Maduro's Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization. When Venezuela detained five Americans in December, Trump green-lit the raid.
The January 3 operation killed over 80 people, including 32 Cuban military advisers protecting Maduro. Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim president, Trump threatened 'a second and much larger attack' if she doesn't cooperate, and the UN Security Council condemned the invasion. Next court date: March 17, 2026.
30 events
Latest: January 6th, 2026 · 5 months ago
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January 2026
UN Security Council Emergency Session
LatestPolitical
Security Council holds emergency meeting requested by Colombia, backed by Russia and China. Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo briefs on behalf of Guterres; no resolution passed.
Rodríguez Signals Willingness to Cooperate
Political
After Trump's threats, interim president Rodríguez shifts tone from defiant defense of Maduro to saying Venezuela 'deserves peace and dialogue, not war' and appears ready to work with U.S.
Flores Appears with Significant Injuries
Legal
First Lady appears in court with visible head injuries, swollen eye, and bandaged forehead. Attorney states she may have fractured ribs from the capture operation.
Defense Signals Head-of-State Immunity Challenge
Legal
Maduro's attorney Barry Pollack raises 'issues about the legality of his military abduction' and signals they may assert head-of-state immunity from prosecution.
Neither Defendant Seeks Bail
Legal
Both Maduro and Flores decline to request bail or release; Judge Hellerstein sets next court date for March 17, 2026.
Delcy Rodríguez Sworn In as Interim President
Political
Venezuela's Supreme Court orders VP Delcy Rodríguez to assume interim presidency; sworn in Monday with military backing despite Trump claiming she would cooperate with U.S. transition.
Cuba Reports 32 Military Personnel Killed
Military
Cuban government announces 32 Cuban military and intelligence officers killed during U.S. operation; declares two days of national mourning. Total casualties exceed 80 dead.
Trump Threatens 'Second and Much Larger Attack'
Political
President warns interim leader Rodríguez she will pay 'a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro' if she doesn't cooperate; says U.S. 'ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to.'
U.S. Strikes Venezuela, Delta Force Raids
Military
Seven explosions in Caracas; special forces extract Maduro and Flores from bedroom.
Trump Announces Maduro Capture
Statement
President posts on Truth Social that Maduro and wife captured, flown out of country.
DOJ Unseals New Indictment
Legal
Bondi announces SDNY charges against Maduro, Flores, and four others on narco-terrorism.
President Trump gives final approval for Delta Force raid involving 150+ aircraft from 20 bases.
Maduro Arrives at Stewart Airport, New York
Legal
FBI and DEA officers receive Maduro and Flores at Stewart International Airport. Transferred to MDC Brooklyn detention facility.
Trump: U.S. Will 'Run Venezuela' Until Transition
Political
Trump announces U.S. will govern Venezuela temporarily, control oil production, designate transition officials.
International Condemnation of U.S. Action
Political
Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Russia, China, France, Spain condemn strikes. UN Secretary-General calls action 'dangerous precedent.'
González Called to Assume Presidency
Political
María Corina Machado calls for Edmundo González to assume constitutional mandate; González says he's 'ready to rebuild.' France and Argentina express support.
Venezuelan Casualties Confirmed
Military
Venezuelan Defense Minister confirms civilian and military casualties from U.S. strikes; exact numbers still being counted.
U.S. Forces Injured in Helicopter Attack
Military
Trump confirms some U.S. troops injured when helicopter took fire during raid; no Americans killed.
Venezuela Detains Five Americans
Political
CNN reports Maduro regime holding Americans as leverage against U.S. pressure campaign.
December 2025
CIA Drone Strike on Venezuelan Facility
Military
First land target hit—marine facility allegedly used for loading drug boats.
November 2025
Cartel de los Soles Designated FTO
Legal
State Department labels Maduro's network a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Operation Southern Spear Formally Named
Military
Defense Secretary Hegseth announces campaign name; 15,000 U.S. personnel now in region.
September 2025
First Caribbean Airstrike
Military
Trump announces Navy killed 11 Tren de Aragua members on Venezuelan drug boat.
August 2025
Trump Orders Warships to Venezuela
Military
Three Navy vessels deployed to South American coast, beginning Operation Southern Spear buildup.
November 2024
U.S. Recognizes González as President-Elect
Political
Biden administration declares González legitimate winner of July election.
September 2024
González Flees to Spain
Political
Opposition leader seeks asylum in Spanish embassy, then exile in Madrid.
Arrest Warrant Issued for González
Political
Maduro regime charges opposition leader with usurpation of functions and conspiracy.
July 2024
Venezuela Presidential Election Held
Political
Edmundo González wins by landslide; Maduro's electoral council declares him winner without evidence.
March 2020
First Maduro Indictment Unsealed
Legal
SDNY charges Maduro and 14 Venezuelan officials with narco-terrorism, offering $15M reward.
Historical Context
3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
1 of 3
December 1989 - January 1990
Manuel Noriega and the Panama Invasion (1989-1990)
Panamanian military dictator Manuel Noriega was indicted by U.S. federal courts in 1988 on drug trafficking and racketeering charges. President George H.W. Bush launched Operation Just Cause on December 20, 1989—the largest U.S. military action since Vietnam—deploying 27,000 troops and 300 aircraft. Noriega evaded capture for days, hiding in the Vatican embassy while U.S. forces blasted rock music outside. He surrendered on January 3, 1990.
Then
Noriega was brought to Miami, tried in federal court, and convicted in 1992 on eight counts of drug trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering—the first foreign leader convicted by a U.S. jury.
Now
Noriega served 17 years in U.S. prison. Panama transitioned to democracy. But the invasion killed hundreds of Panamanian civilians, and Latin American nations condemned it as imperialism. The precedent: the U.S. will invade to arrest drug-trafficking leaders.
Why this matters now
Maduro's capture happened exactly 36 years to the day after Noriega's surrender. Both were military strongmen indicted on drug charges, both captured via U.S. invasion. The difference: Noriega ran a small country with minimal geopolitical clout. Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves, deep ties to Russia and China, and 7 million refugees who fled Maduro's regime now living across the Americas. The stakes are exponentially higher.
2 of 3
March 2003 - December 2003
Saddam Hussein Capture (2003)
The U.S. invaded Iraq in March 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein's government within weeks. Saddam went into hiding. U.S. forces found him in December 2003 hiding in a underground "spider hole" near Tikrit. He was handed to Iraqi authorities, tried by an Iraqi tribunal for crimes against humanity, and hanged in 2006.
Then
Saddam was executed, but Iraq descended into sectarian civil war. Al-Qaeda in Iraq (later ISIS) filled the power vacuum.
Now
The Iraq War killed hundreds of thousands, cost trillions, destabilized the Middle East, and is widely viewed as a foreign policy disaster. Saddam's capture didn't bring stability—it revealed the limits of regime change.
Why this matters now
Like Saddam, Maduro was a dictator accused of threatening U.S. interests and removed by military force. The lesson: capturing the leader doesn't solve the crisis. Venezuela's institutions are hollowed out, its economy collapsed, and armed groups like Tren de Aragua have metastasized across the hemisphere. Who governs Venezuela after Maduro? Can the opposition restore order? Or does this become another endless quagmire?
3 of 3
November 2018 - February 2019
El Chapo Trial (2018-2019)
Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, head of the Sinaloa Cartel, was extradited to the U.S. and tried in the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors presented evidence he smuggled tons of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine into the U.S. over decades, ordering murders and bribing Mexican officials. The trial was a spectacle—cartel operatives testified, detailing drug tunnels and submarine smuggling.
Then
El Chapo was convicted on all counts in February 2019 and sentenced to life in prison plus 30 years. He's serving time in ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado.
Now
The Sinaloa Cartel didn't collapse—it fractured and continued operating. El Chapo's sons took over. The trial didn't stop drug trafficking; it just removed one leader.
Why this matters now
Maduro faces trial in the same courthouse, before the same prosecutors, on overlapping charges. If SDNY can prove Maduro conspired with the Sinaloa Cartel and FARC to import cocaine, they'll use the El Chapo playbook: cooperating witnesses, intercepted communications, financial records. The difference: El Chapo was a cartel boss. Maduro was a head of state. The trial will test whether American courts can judge a foreign leader the same way they judged a drug lord.
