The Maduro capture in Caracas shocked the region and left residents unsure what comes next. US special forces moved on the presidential compound in a pre-dawn raid and flew the now former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to New York, US officials said to Reuters Cape {town} Etc reports.
US authorities called the mission ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’ and released footage showing Maduro being escorted in custody. He looked at the camera and said, ‘Good night. Happy New Year!’ as he was processed (PBS).
COURT DATE SET: Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro will be arraigned in federal court in New York City at 12 p.m. ET on Monday, authorities announced.
Maduro faces multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses… pic.twitter.com/J76bIKD7vO
— FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTERNATIONAL (@internatio56662) January 4, 2026
The US Justice Department has charged Maduro with narco-terrorism and other offences. Authorities say he will appear in federal court in New York on Monday (today); social posts have put the arraignment time at 12 p.m. ET.
The US has taken control of the Venezuelan oil stocks valued at $17 trillion dollars and the US President Trump says that the US is now running Venezuela.
Havana said 32 Cuban personnel died during the strikes and declared two days of mourning, a claim that has deepened regional alarm.
World powers reacted strongly. China warned that no country should act as a world policeman, reflecting diplomatic outrage and legal questions about the raid.
JUST IN: 🇨🇳 China says no country should act as a world policeman or claim to be an international judge. pic.twitter.com/AB1b1W9afL
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) January 5, 2026
South Africa has called on the UN Security Council to intervene.
UN Security Council rapporteur Ben Saul said in a CNN interview that the UN does see the US actions as ‘colonial opportunism’ and finds it unlawful according to international law. The UN is set to hold emergency meetings today to discuss and see the way forward.
See Japan’s statement below:
The Governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, Mexico and Uruguay have united in a joint comunicado to condemn the United States.
On the streets and online, reactions split. ‘For those of us in exile, it is immense joy,’ one Venezuelan exile told Reuters.
Venezuelans are still brought to tears celebrating in Caracas for Donald Trump arresting Nicolas Maduro
They are even setting off fireworks to celebrate America freeing them
“We made it brother, they have him. I’m really crying”
Only Democrats could oppose this pic.twitter.com/6VQcqkNAWb
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) January 4, 2026
Others staged protests and decried what they called imperialism.
BREAKING:
🇻🇪 “Give us back our president”
The people of Venezuela take to the streets in support of Maduro pic.twitter.com/vvAQsDVR4y
— Megatron (@Megatron_ron) January 4, 2026
This is a developing story.
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Picture: @BRICSinfo / X
