Nicolás Maduro after his capture by U.S. forces in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday January 3rd, 2026.

Nicolás Maduro after his capture by U.S. forces in Caracas, Venezuela on Saturday January 3rd, 2026.
#NicolasMaduro #DonaldTrump #usvenezuelaconflict

US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that American forces had taken Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, into custody following what he described as large-scale military strikes on Venezuela. According to Trump, the United States would temporarily administer the country to ensure what he termed a safe and orderly transition.

In a statement, Trump said Washington’s objective was to restore peace in Venezuela and establish a leadership that prioritizes the welfare of the Venezuelan people.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who have been flown out of the country,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.