Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela: Nicolas Maduro Arrested, Venezuela Crisis, US Attack on Venezuela, Donald Trump Statement, Caracas Explosion, Venezuela Emergency — these keywords are rapidly trending as dramatic developments unfold in Venezuela following alleged US military action.
Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela
Venezuela is facing one of its most serious political and military crises in recent history. Following reports of a US-led attack, President Nicolas Maduro has declared a national emergency, while former US President Donald Trump has claimed that Maduro and his wife have been taken into custody, triggering global political shockwaves.
10 Key Developments After the Alleged US Attack on Venezuela
1. Claims of Nicolas Maduro’s Arrest
International media and social media platforms are claiming that the United States has detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores during a special military operation.
2. Donald Trump Confirms the Operation
Donald Trump publicly backed the claims, stating that Maduro and his wife were captured in a “special operation” aimed at removing a dictator.
3. Explosions Rock Caracas
Early Saturday morning, multiple explosions were reported in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. Thick smoke was seen near government and military buildings.
4. Conflicting Narratives
While government-aligned media described the incident as a technical accident, opposition sources called it a US-led airstrike.
5. Maduro Allegedly Taken Out of Venezuela
Trump claimed via social media that Maduro and his wife were transported out of Venezuela after their arrest.
6. Trump to Address the Nation
According to US officials, Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a major press conference (Indian time: 8 PM), raising expectations of major revelations.
7. No Official Statement From Venezuelan Government
So far, the Venezuelan government has not released any official confirmation regarding Maduro’s arrest.
8. US Strikes Across Multiple Cities
Media reports suggest that US forces conducted attacks around 2 AM in four Venezuelan cities, including military installations.
9. Travel and Airspace Restrictions
The US Embassy has advised citizens to avoid travel in and around Caracas. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has barred American flights from Venezuelan airspace.
10. Emergency Declared in Venezuela
Maduro declared a nationwide emergency, accusing the United States of attempting a coup d’état against his government.
Venezuelan Vice President’s Statement
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said the government does not know the whereabouts of President Maduro and his wife following the alleged US operation. She demanded proof that both are alive, stating, “We have no information on where President Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores are.”
Donald Trump’s Strong Statement
Donald Trump described the operation as a “mission to remove a dictator.”
He claimed US forces used air, land, and naval power to attack a heavily fortified military complex in central Caracas, calling it the largest and most impactful military action since World War II.
Trump also shared an image allegedly showing Nicolas Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed, further fueling international debate and controversy.
Who Is Nicolas Maduro? From Bus Driver to President
Nicolas Maduro began his political journey over 40 years ago as a bus driver and trade union activist. Rising through the ranks of Venezuelan politics, he became President after Hugo Chávez’s death and has since remained a controversial figure amid allegations of authoritarianism, economic collapse(Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela), and democratic backsliding.
Why This Matters Globally
The alleged arrest of a sitting president by a foreign power has massive implications for:
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International law
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US–Latin America relations
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Global oil markets
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Geopolitical stability
The situation remains fluid, with the world awaiting official confirmation and further developments.
Venezuela’s UN ambassador says his country has right to self defense
In a letter sent to the U.N. Security Council on Saturday, the Venezuelan ambassador to the U.N. warned that in light of the U.S. strikes(Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela), the country “reserves the inherent right to self defense.”
The letter from Ambassador Samuel Reinaldo Moncada Acosta, obtained by AP, goes on to request an urgent meeting of the 15-member council and condemnation and cessation of U.S. actions.
“What began more than four months ago as a police fantasy is now showing its true face: this is a colonial war aimed at destroying our republican form of government, freely chosen by our people, and at imposing a puppet government that allows the plundering of our natural resources, including the world’s largest oil reserves,” Acosta wrote(Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela).
Trump says Venezuelan vice president Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as president
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Venezuelan vice president Delcy Rodríguez had been sworn in as president shortly before he spoke to reporters and added she had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“She is essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again. Very simple,” Trump said(Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela).
Earlier, opposition leader María Corina Machado said that the opposition candidate Edmundo González should assume power, saying that he rightfully won the 2024 presidential election.
11:38 a.m. EST
Trump shares photo of captured Maduro
The president posted a photo on social media showing Maduro wearing a sweatsuit and a blindfold with the caption: “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.”
Maduro appeared to be wearing a flotation device around his neck. Next to him was someone wearing a jacket that had a DEA logo(Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela).
Maduro also had protective headphones on his ears and appeared to be lifting a water bottle with both arms to drink.
A post by President Donald Trump via Truth Social shows a picture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, after Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured him, in Caracas, Venezuela, Jan. 3, 2026. Image provided by Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) via Truth social/Handout via Reuters
11:09 a.m. EST
Trump says he spoke to Maduro as recently as last week
Trump told Fox News he spoke to Maduro several times, including most recently a week ago(Nicolas Maduro Arrested After US Attack on Venezuela).
Maduro denied that in an interview on New Year’s Eve, saying he had only spoken to Trump in November.
Trump’s action against Maduro contrasts with the clemency granted to the ex-Honduras leader
Trump’s dramatic action against Maduro is the polar opposite of the clemency he granted to former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández.
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Trump in December pardoned Hernández, though he was sentenced to 45 years in U.S. prison for helping drug traffickers to safely move hundreds of tons of cocaine north through his country to the U.S.
