On Saturday, January 3, 2025, U.S. soldiers raided President Nicolás Maduro’s residence at 1 a.m., capturing him and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation, known as Operation Absolute Resolve, was planned by President Trump and his administration, the CIA, and the US military. Following the capture, President Trump released a public statement declaring that the United States would lead Venezuela until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” could take place.
One of Venezuela’s most important commodities is oil. President Trump stated that the United States would temporarily take control of Venezuela’s existing oil reserves, with possible investments from U.S. oil companies.
In September 2025, President Trump began launching strikes on vessels originating from Venezuela in waters between the United States and Central and South America. Since September, there have been a total of 35 strikes, with an estimated 115 people killed. President Trump and his cabinet stated that the strikes were intended to combat narco-terrorism.
Trump has also stated that Maduro was offered multiple opportunities to surrender prior to the operation. Maduro is currently being held in the United States and has been indicted on charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. Cilia Flores has been indicted on the latter three charges. Under command of the US, the former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has become the new interim president after Maduro’s capture. Concerns have been raised on her legitimacy and why the US did not elect the more legitimate opposition party to take place as interim President since they technically won an election in July 2024.
Maduro and his wife appeared in court on Monday, January 5, 2025. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Sources
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/31/g-s1-104194/us-military-strikes-drug-boats-survivors
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/03/nx-s1-5665617/venezuela-nicolas-maduro-charges