Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody en route to the United States, as claimed by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social platform.
Trump Drops Bombshell: Maduro and His Wife Are Now in U.S. Custody After Overnight Strike
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
In a stunning early-morning announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump declares that American forces carried out a large-scale strike in Venezuela and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. According to Trump’s post on Truth Social, both were taken into custody “in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement” and flown out of the country, with further details to be revealed at a press conference later at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump hailed the operation as a triumph, emphasizing the precision and effectiveness of the U.S. forces involved. The president framed the action as necessary to confront what his administration has long described as threats posed by Maduro’s regime, including alleged narcotics and terrorism activities.
The announcement followed reports of explosions and military activity in Caracas in the early hours of January 3, 2026. While Trump promised more information at the planned briefing, the dramatic claim of Maduro’s capture immediately drew global attention.
Senator Marco Rubio and other allies in Washington publicly praised the move, calling it a turning point against Maduro’s long-standing regime and echoing accusations that his government was involved in narco-terrorism and illicit activities.
At this moment, official Venezuelan sources have not confirmed Maduro’s whereabouts, and international reactions are beginning to take shape, with questions of legality and diplomacy already emerging. The world is watching as this unprecedented operation unfolds.
