Nicolas Maduro, who claimed to be the president of Venezuela, and his wife, Cilia Flores, were apprehended by U.S. forces in Caracas on Saturday and subsequently arraigned in a Manhattan federal court on Sunday, January 5, 2026. Their capture led to the recognition of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as Venezuela's acting leader by the country's military, following a Supreme Court ruling. The U.S. operation involved a significant military and law enforcement presence, resulting in casualties and injuries on both sides.
Apprehension and Transfer
Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores were apprehended by U.S. forces in Caracas on a Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump described the operation as a "large-scale strike against Venezuela." The apprehension involved U.S. law enforcement, with military support, reportedly including Delta Force, and approximately 200 U.S. personnel on the ground.
During the apprehension, U.S. administration officials informed lawmakers that Maduro and Flores sustained head injuries while attempting to evade U.S. forces, reportedly hitting their heads on a low door frame as they sought to conceal themselves. Delta Force operators administered first aid after their capture. Maduro and Flores arrived in New York on Sunday, with a video posted by a White House social media account showing Maduro being escorted by two U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents.
Court Proceedings and Charges
On Sunday, January 5, 2026, Maduro and Flores appeared in Manhattan federal court for their initial arraignment before Judge Alvin Hellerstein. Maduro, escorted into the courtroom in shackles, stated, "I am the president of Venezuela" and affirmed he was captured at his home. He pleaded "innocent" and "not guilty" to the charges. His attorney, Barry Pollack, indicated a potential challenge to the legality of the military abduction and a possible assertion of protection from prosecution as a head of state.
Cilia Flores, identifying herself as the first lady of Venezuela, also pleaded "not guilty" and "completely innocent" to the three counts she faces. Her attorney, Mark Donnelly, reported that Flores sustained injuries during the operation, including a visible bruise on her head, and expressed concern about a potential fracture or severe bruising on her ribs, requesting a medical briefing and an X-ray. Reporters noted Flores swaying and dipping her head, and Maduro reportedly struggled with sitting and standing. Courtroom sketches depicted Flores with bandages on her head. U.S. administration officials characterized Flores' head injury as minor during their briefing to lawmakers.
Both Maduro and Flores requested consular visits. They did not request bail and will remain in federal custody at MDC-Brooklyn. The next court date is scheduled for March 17.
Maduro and Flores are among six defendants named in a four-count superseding indictment, which accuses them of conspiring with alleged drug traffickers over a 25-year period. The charges include narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, and money laundering. Maduro has consistently denied all allegations. Other defendants in the indictment include Maduro's son, two high-ranking Venezuelan officials, and an alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang.
Outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse, opposing groups of protesters gathered, with some advocating for Maduro's release and others supporting his capture. As Maduro was being led from the courtroom, he responded to an individual shouting in Spanish by stating, "I am the elected president. I am a prisoner of war. I will be free."
Transition of Power in Venezuela
Following Maduro's extraction, Venezuela's military announced its recognition of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the country's acting leader. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez issued a statement endorsing a Supreme Court ruling that appointed Rodriguez as interim president for a 90-day period. Rodriguez, who is next in the presidential line of succession, had served as Maduro's vice president since 2018, overseeing economic affairs and the intelligence service.
Rodriguez publicly described Maduro's capture as "barbaric" and an "illegal and illegitimate kidnapping" in a state television broadcast, characterizing the U.S. actions as an attack on Venezuela's sovereignty and demanding the "immediate release" of Maduro and his wife. The Venezuelan Supreme Court also described Maduro's capture as a "kidnapping." Despite this initial stance, Rodriguez later issued a statement on social media inviting the U.S. government to collaborate on a cooperation agenda for shared development within international law, indicating openness to dialogue and expressing willingness to have "respectful relations."
Defense Minister Padrino Lopez urged Venezuelan citizens to resume normal economic, work, and educational activities, emphasizing that "The homeland must follow its constitutional course."
U.S. Policy and International Engagement
U.S. President Trump stated on Saturday that the U.S. had communicated with Delcy Rodriguez, noting her reported willingness to "do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again." He indicated that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified period, citing a lack of leadership, and planned for a team of U.S. Cabinet officials and a local Venezuelan team to manage the country, with expectations for international oil companies to invest. On Sunday, Trump reiterated that the U.S. is "in charge" of Venezuela, and stated that "if she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Sunday that conversations with Rodriguez and the Venezuelan government are "delicate and complicated things that require mature statesmanship," adding that U.S. goals remain consistent. The administration maintained that Maduro's capture was not a regime change operation, noting that the Venezuelan government largely remains intact and is now led by Deputy President Delcy Rodriguez. Secretary Rubio indicated that the administration views Rodriguez as more pragmatic than Maduro and as a potential counterpart for engagement.
Administration officials confirmed months of discussions with both Delcy Rodriguez and her brother Jorge Rodriguez, President of Venezuela's National Assembly. These discussions were described as attempts to prompt behavioral change within the regime rather than efforts to facilitate Maduro's ousting. Secretary Rubio has served as the primary contact for the administration with Delcy Rodriguez. As the country's oil minister, Delcy Rodriguez is expected to collaborate with the U.S. on rebuilding Venezuela's oil infrastructure and potentially allowing American companies to operate there. While no formal agreement exists with Rodriguez, the administration anticipates that its ongoing pressure campaign, including a naval presence in the Caribbean, will provide sufficient leverage.
Casualties and Injuries
Defense Minister Padrino Lopez stated on Sunday that some of Maduro's bodyguards were killed during the U.S. operation, without providing specific figures. U.S. President Trump confirmed on Saturday that some U.S. forces were injured but reported no fatalities.
U.S. officials reported that some Delta Force operators sustained non-life-threatening injuries, including bullet wounds and shrapnel, during a firefight with a Cuban quick reaction force near Maduro's compound. The operators are expected to recover fully. Regarding casualties among Venezuelan or Cuban forces, officials did not provide a precise estimate. Cuba's government reported 32 of its military and police officers were killed. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, suggested the number was likely higher, describing a "raging gunfire battle" where the majority of casualties were inflicted upon the Cuban guard.
Background
U.S. officials, including those from the previous Biden administration, had previously stated Maduro was not considered the legitimate president of Venezuela and offered a $25 million reward for his arrest in January 2025. Delcy Rodriguez herself faced U.S. sanctions during the Trump administration for her role in undermining Venezuelan democracy.