Maduro Captured & Perp-Walked in NY; US to Run Venezuela as Rodriguez Takes Interim Role.

Maduro Captured & Perp-Walked in NY; US to Run Venezuela as Rodriguez Takes Interim Role.

US Strikes on Venezuela LIVE: Captured Maduro Arrives in New York; Delcy Rodriguez Ordered Venezuela's Interim President.

Caracas to New York: A Dramatic Overthrow Unfolds as US Takes Control Amid Global Outrage.

                    In a stunning escalation that has redrawn the geopolitical map of Latin America, the United States launched a precision military operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a raid likened to the capture of Saddam Hussein.

            Maduro, blindfolded and handcuffed, was flown to New York City, where he was perp-walked into DEA headquarters before being transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. President Donald Trump, in a fiery press conference, declared the US would "run" Venezuela until a stable transition, citing drug trafficking, corruption, and oil theft as justifications.

Meanwhile, Venezuela's Supreme Court swiftly named Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim leader, sparking celebrations among opposition figures and condemnations from allies like Russia and China.

This live blog captures the fast-moving developments from the overnight strikes to the international fallout, drawing on eyewitness accounts, official statements, and expert analysis. As of January 4, 2026, tensions remain high, with protests erupting worldwide and the UN Security Council poised for an emergency session.


Trump shares photo of Maduro in handcuffs and blindfold aboard US ...

Iconic image released by the Trump administration: Maduro blindfolded aboard a US naval vessel en route to New York, symbolizing the swift end to his regime.
Timeline of the Operation: From Delta Force Raid to Maduro's Humiliating Arrival

The operation, codenamed "Absolute Resolve," began in the dead of night on January 3, with US Delta Force units – the elite team behind high-profile captures like Saddam Hussein in 2003 – infiltrating Fort Tiuna, Venezuela's main military base in Caracas. According to Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernandez, Maduro and Flores were at their residence within the installation when US forces struck.

 "They bombed the area and carried out what we could call a kidnapping," Fernandez told the Associated Press.

Explosions rocked Caracas, with low-flying Chinook and Apache helicopters neutralizing Venezuelan air defenses in under 30 minutes. Satellite imagery later revealed craters at key sites, including military barracks and airfields.

Satellite photos shows Venezuela before and after US strikes

Before and after: Satellite photos show the impact of US strikes on Fort Tiuna, highlighting the precision of the operation that led to Maduro's capture.

Maduro's flight to the US was swift. By dawn, he was aboard a naval vessel, as evidenced by the photo Trump shared: the former leader in a tracksuit, blindfolded, and under guard. Upon landing in New York, Maduro was perp-walked – a deliberate public display – into DEA headquarters, where visuals showed him handcuffed and flanked by agents. He now faces charges of narcoterrorism, money laundering, and corruption in a New York federal court, stemming from a 2020 indictment.

Perp walked': Visuals of handcuffed Nicolas Maduro at DEA ...

Humiliating moment: Maduro perp-walked into DEA headquarters in New York, marking a stark fall from power for the once-defiant leader.

Trump, addressing reporters at the White House, hailed the raid as a "brilliant operation" executed flawlessly by Delta Force. "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition," he stated, adding that US oil companies would oversee Venezuela's vast reserves – estimated at 303 billion barrels in the Orinoco Belt – to prevent "theft" by foreign powers.


Trump says U.S. will 'run' Venezuela and sell seized oil in ...

Trump at the press conference: The US President outlines plans to 'run' Venezuela, emphasizing oil security and a swift transition.

Power Vacuum in Caracas: Delcy Rodriguez Steps In as Interim President

With Maduro's abrupt removal, Venezuela's Supreme Court – loyal to the ruling PSUV party – acted quickly. On January 3, the Constitutional Chamber ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the presidency "to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation." Rodriguez, a staunch Maduro ally and former foreign minister, has vowed to resist US "imperialism" and rally international support.

Rodriguez's ascension has been met with skepticism from opposition groups, who view it as a continuation of the regime. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, speaking to Russia's RIA Novosti, decried the strikes as a disruption to Latin American peace.

Venezuela's Supreme Court orders Delcy Rodriguez become interim ...

Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as interim president: The Supreme Court's ruling aims to stabilize the nation amid chaos.

Opposition Jubilation: Maria Corina Machado Hails 'Mandate to Take Power'

Venezuela's opposition, long suppressed under Maduro, erupted in celebration. Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado, a leading figure barred from running in the disputed 2024 elections, stated: "This happened after Maduro refused to accept a negotiated exit.

Today we are prepared to enforce our mandate and take power. Let us remain vigilant, active, and organized until the Democratic Transition is achieved – a transition that needs ALL of us."

Machado's words resonated in Miami's Venezuelan exile community, where street parties broke out. However, she cautioned against US overreach, urging a Venezuelan-led transition.

Nicolás Maduro's capture by US met with celebrations in South ...

Maria Corina Machado addresses supporters: The opposition leader calls for unity in the wake of Maduro's capture.

Global Reactions: From Outrage to Cautious Support

The strikes have ignited a firestorm internationally. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed "deep alarm," warning of a "dangerous precedent." Venezuela, backed by Russia and China, requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting, though scheduling remains pending.

US, Venezuela in war of words at UN Security Council over oil seizures and military strikes

UN Security Council in session: Debates rage over the legality of US actions in Venezuela.

China condemned the operation as a "blatant use of force," while North Korea's Kim Jong-un labeled it "imperialist aggression." Protests erupted in Paris, Rome, and Athens, with demonstrators decrying US intervention. In contrast, some Latin American nations, like Colombia, offered muted support, citing Maduro's role in regional instability.

India issued a travel advisory, urging nationals to avoid Venezuela and stay in contact with the embassy in Caracas.

Economic Implications: Oil Markets in Turmoil

Venezuela's oil reserves, the world's largest, are at the heart of the crisis. Trump's pledge to "sell seized oil" has spiked global prices, with Brent crude surging 15% in 24 hours. US firms like Chevron and ExxonMobil are positioned to resume operations, potentially stabilizing supply but raising ethical questions about resource exploitation.

Historical Context: Echoes of Past Interventions

This isn't the US's first foray into Venezuelan affairs. From the 2019 recognition of Juan Guaidó as interim president to sanctions crippling the economy, tensions have simmered. Maduro's 2013 rise after Hugo Chávez's death marked a era of hyperinflation, migration (over 7 million fled), and alleged election fraud.

The Delta Force raid draws parallels to Panama's 1989 invasion capturing Manuel Noriega, another leader indicted on drug charges.

On the Ground in Venezuela: Chaos and Hope

Caracas remains tense, with military mobilization and sporadic blackouts. Opposition supporters chant "Freedom!" in plazas, while PSUV loyalists rally for Rodriguez. Humanitarian concerns mount, with fears of violence amid the power vacuum.

Key Points from the Crisis
US Control Pledge: Trump vows to manage Venezuela until transition, focusing on oil and security.

Travel Advisories: India advises against non-essential travel; similar warnings from EU nations.

UN Alarm: Guterres calls strikes a "dangerous precedent"; emergency meeting requested.

Allied Backlash: Russia, China, and Iran condemn the action; protests in Europe.
Opposition Momentum: Machado urges unity for democratic transition.

Looking Ahead: Transition or Turmoil?

As Maduro awaits trial in Brooklyn, the world watches Venezuela's fate. Will US oversight lead to stability or deepen divisions? Rodriguez's interim role could rally socialists, but opposition forces, bolstered by exiles, sense opportunity. With global markets volatile and alliances shifting, this crisis could reshape hemispheric relations for years.

Stay tuned for updates as the UN convenes and protests intensify. This is a developing story – chaos or change hangs in the balance.