Just days into 2026, Donald Trump has already stirred up a major international controversy.
On January 3, the US President announced military strikes in Caracas, Venezuela's capital, initiating a dramatic raid on President Nicolás Maduro's residence. The operation saw power cut across the city, leading to Maduro’s capture as he attempted to hide in his secure room.
“He made it to the door but couldn’t close it,” Trump recounted. “He got bum rushed so quickly that he never made it inside.”
Following his arrest, Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, face serious drug and weapons charges. US Attorney General Pam Bondi warned that they would soon confront the full force of American law in US courts.
The Venezuelan government reacted swiftly, condemning the US actions as “serious military aggression” and calling for international solidarity against the US's maneuvers.
Initially, Trump hinted at a new direction for Venezuela, suggesting the country could be run under Vice President Delcy Rodriguez's leadership. However, Rodriguez has publicly reiterated her support for Maduro and labeled Trump's actions an “unprecedented act of aggression.”
As the story unfolded, Trump posted a first look at Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima. Meanwhile, footage emerged showing the former president being led in cuffs down a corridor, where he briefly spoke to observers, wishing them a “good night” and a “happy new year” as he arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
Maduro now faces a laundry list of charges, including Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy and possession of illegal firearms, as outlined by Bondi.
Reactions to Trump's bold actions have varied globally. UK politician Keir Starmer remarked on the importance of international law, expressing long-standing support for a power transition in Venezuela and labeling Maduro an “illegitimate president.”