Maduro Captured in US Military Operation, Flown to New York

On 3 January 2026, US forces launched "Operation Absolute Resolve," striking Venezuelan air defences and capturing Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores at his Caracas compound, before flying them to New York to face long-standing US drug-trafficking indictments. Venezuelan officials said at least 23 security personnel were killed; Cuba said 32 of its own military and intelligence personnel in Venezuela died. UN officials and international law experts across the political spectrum said the raid violated the UN Charter and Venezuela's sovereignty regardless of the legitimacy of the charges against Maduro.