Launches military attack on Venezuela without congressional approval, arrests Maduro and wife

At approximately 2:00 a.m. local time, U.S. forces launched 'Operation Absolute Resolve,' bombing military installations across northern Venezuela including Caracas to disable air defense systems. Over 100 aircraft participated in the strikes. Delta Force operators captured President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores as they attempted to flee. Trump posted a photo to Truth Social showing Maduro blindfolded with handcuffs, earmuffs, and a flotation device aboard the USS Iwo Jima. Trump announced Maduro would be transported to New York to face 2020 federal narco-terrorism indictment charges, and declared the United States would 'run the country' until a 'safe, proper and judicious transition' could be achieved. He also announced US oil companies would take over Venezuelan oil production. The operation was conducted without congressional approval, in apparent violation of the War Powers Resolution. At least 40 Venezuelan military personnel and civilians were killed; 2 US soldiers were injured. International condemnation was swift: Russia called it 'armed aggression'; China said it was 'deeply shocked'; UN Secretary-General Guterres called it a 'dangerous precedent'; Mexico condemned it as violating UN Charter Article 2; Cuba called it 'state terrorism'. Colombian forces mobilized on the border.

"We will run the country until a safe, proper and judicious transition can take place." — Trump's press conference announcing the Venezuela operation, January 3, 2026