U.S. Special Forces Capture Maduro in Caracas, Jailing Him and Wife on Drug Charges
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 7
U.S. Special Forces Capture Maduro in Caracas, Jailing Him and Wife on Drug Charges
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 7
Summary
Jan. 3, 2026, U.S. special forces carried out an overnight operation in Caracas that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and moved them to a New York jail to await drug-trafficking trial.
The raid capped the Trump administration’s shift to a hard-line Venezuela policy, with Marco Rubio and allies recasting Maduro as the head of a narcotics network and building support for military action after softer engagement efforts failed.
Those softer efforts had included a 2025 pressure campaign by investor Harry Sargeant III, former congressman Aaron Schock, Richard Grenell and allied influencers to preserve oil licenses and push accommodation with Caracas; POLITICO says the FBI is probing parts of that effort.
Delcy Rodríguez became acting leader after Maduro’s capture, and Washington restored diplomatic relations with Venezuela on March 5 while backing continued economic ties and investment despite unresolved questions over who ultimately controls the country.
With billions in Venezuelan oil revenue now under U.S. control, who is truly profiting from the nation's recovery?
Is the U.S. building a true democracy in Venezuela or backing a new, business-friendly authoritarian regime?
Operation Absolute Resolve: The 2026 U.S. Raid on Caracas, Capture of Maduro, and Its Global Repercussions
Overview
On January 3, 2026, the United States launched Operation Absolute Resolve, a covert military strike targeting Caracas, Venezuela. The operation began with explosions and visible fires at key sites like Fuerte Tiuna, following months of secret intelligence work by C.I.A. officers who mapped Nicolás Maduro’s daily routines using a human source and stealth drones. This intelligence enabled the successful capture of Maduro, leading to his extradition to the U.S. and a swift change in Venezuela’s leadership. The raid sparked global debate about international law, U.S. intentions, and the future stability of Venezuela and the region.