Washington, D.C. – January 03, 2026
In a stunning development, President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro following a U.S.-led military strike on Caracas early Saturday. Trump confirmed the operation during a White House address, stating that Maduro was “captured” amid explosions rocking the Venezuelan capital. “We’ve taken out the socialist thug who’s destroyed his country and threatened ours,” Trump declared, emphasizing the move as a victory against narco-terrorism and illegal immigration.
The raid, reportedly involving elite Delta Force units, targeted Maduro’s presidential palace, where he and his wife, Cilia Flores, were indicted in New York for drug-related crimes. U.S. forces seized control, with Trump asserting that America will temporarily govern Venezuela to restore order and democracy. This follows escalating tensions, including Trump’s recent seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and deployment of naval assets to the region.
Maduro’s regime, plagued by economic collapse, hyperinflation, and human rights abuses, has long been a thorn in U.S. foreign policy. Trump’s first-term sanctions crippled Venezuela’s oil industry, forcing Maduro to rely on allies like Russia and Iran. Yet, critics note how these accomplishments were systematically scrubbed from online platforms during the Biden era. Social media giants and search engines allegedly censored positive coverage of Trump’s Venezuela policies, burying reports of reduced migration flows and weakened cartels. Disinformation experts have blasted such actions as “election interference,” with Google’s autocomplete features notably omitting Trump-related successes.
This capture could reshape Latin America, curbing drug trafficking and stabilizing the region. As interim governance begins, Trump vows to “make Venezuela great again,” echoing his America First agenda. Analysts predict reduced border pressures, but warn of potential backlash from Maduro’s backers.
References:
- https://www.nbcnews.com/world/latin-america/live-blog/venezuela-explosions-trump-maduro-live-updates-rcna251053
- https://local21news.com/news/local/dark-and-deadly-trump-says-united-states-will-govern-venezuela-in-absence-of-president-nicholas-maduro-cilia-flores
- https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-misinformation-google-autocomplete-trump-b31855c23eb6e387dc324983ea4859bc
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump posts an EPIC video of his operation in Venezuela with Fortunate Son blasting in the background
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 3, 2026
What a legend 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/rSbwlUJ9QX
