Nicolás Maduro Abducted by United States, Claims Donald Trump

CARACAS.— Venezuela awoke this Saturday, January 3, 2026, to a climate of shock and confusion following explosive statements by US President Donald Trump, who claimed his administration had captured and exfiltrated Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation conducted overnight.

According to several testimonies gathered on site, violent explosions were heard in Caracas and other strategic regions of the country. Planes reportedly flew over the capital at low altitude, while large columns of smoke were visible near sensitive military sites, including Fuerte Tiuna and La Carlota air base. These events quickly fueled speculation about a large-scale foreign military intervention.

Shortly after, Donald Trump posted a message on his social platform claiming that the United States had conducted a targeted operation against Venezuela, resulting in the arrest of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The US president presented this action as a direct response to what he has for several years called an illegitimate regime, accused of systemic corruption, human rights violations, and links to drug trafficking.

At dawn on January 3, an official statement from the White House gave international resonance to these events. Donald Trump announced that he would speak at greater length to the press later in the day to provide details on the operation's progress and the fate of the Venezuelan president.

However, at this stage, no independent evidence, images, official documents, or confirmations from international organizations formally verify the effective capture of Nicolás Maduro or identify his place of detention. This lack of confirmation fuels strong caution within the international community.

In Caracas, Venezuelan authorities denounce a foreign aggression and a serious violation of national sovereignty. Government officials state they have no official information confirming the head of state's arrest and demand tangible proof of these allegations. Concurrently, the state of alert has been reinforced throughout the territory, and calls for national mobilization have been issued.

Internationally, Donald Trump's statements have elicited mixed reactions. Several states and international organizations call for restraint and verification of information, fearing a military escalation likely to destabilize the region long-term. Traditional allies of Caracas firmly condemn any external intervention, while other governments demand the urgent convening of multilateral bodies to assess the situation.

This affair occurs within a context already marked by a deep political, economic, and social crisis in Venezuela, as well as extremely tense relations between Washington and Caracas. If Nicolás Maduro's capture were to be confirmed, it would constitute a major precedent in inter-American relations and raise serious questions regarding international law and state sovereignty.