Executive Insights
- Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces on January 3, 2026, in Caracas.
- He is currently detained in Brooklyn, NY, facing narco-terrorism charges.
- Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of Acting President of Venezuela.
- The new Venezuelan administration is opening the oil sector to foreign investment to appease the US.
- No $50 million reward was paid as the operation was a direct US military intervention.
Nicolas Maduro is currently in US federal custody following his capture by United States military forces on January 3, 2026. The operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, took place in Caracas, Venezuela, and resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both were transported to New York to face charges related to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking.
Operation Absolute Resolve: The Capture
In a direct military intervention ordered by President Donald Trump, US special operations forces executed a raid on the presidential compound in Caracas in the early hours of January 3, 2026. The operation bypassed the previously solicited mercenary options (such as those proposed by Erik Prince’s associated movements) in favor of a unilateral deployment of US assets.
- Date: January 3, 2026
- Location: Presidential Palace, Caracas, Venezuela
- Outcome: Successful extraction of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores without significant US casualties.
- Transport: Flown directly to Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York.
Current Legal Status and Charges
Following his extraction, Nicolas Maduro was arraigned in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) on January 5, 2026. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, awaiting his next scheduled hearing on March 17, 2026.
| Charge | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Narco-Terrorism | Conspiracy to flood the US with cocaine as a weapon of statecraft. | Not Guilty Plea Entered |
| Cocaine Importation | Managing the "Cartel of the Suns" to export tons of cocaine. | Not Guilty Plea Entered |
| Weapons Possession | Use of machine guns and destructive devices in drug trafficking. | Not Guilty Plea Entered |
Political Power Vacuum: The Delcy Rodríguez Transition
In the wake of Maduro’s removal, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Acting President by the Venezuelan Supreme Court. Her administration has adopted a pragmatic survival strategy, balancing anti-imperialist rhetoric with necessary concessions to Washington to prevent further intervention.
- Oil Policy Reform: On January 15, 2026, Rodríguez announced a "new policy" opening Venezuela’s state-run oil industry to foreign investment, a move seen as a direct concession to US demands for energy cooperation.
- Political Prisoners: The new administration released over 100 political prisoners in mid-January as a gesture of "peace," though human rights groups note hundreds remain detained.
- Diplomatic Stance: While condemning the "kidnapping" of Maduro, Rodríguez has signaled a willingness to collaborate with the US on "shared development," effectively accepting the new status quo to ensure her government’s survival.
International and Domestic Reactions
Domestic Reaction: The capture sparked immediate celebrations among the opposition and the diaspora, with the "Ya Casi Venezuela" movement claiming the event as a victory for their pressure campaigns. Conversely, loyalist marches demanding Maduro’s release have taken place but have diminished in intensity as the new government pivots toward stability.
Geopolitical Fallout:
- China & Russia: Both nations issued strong condemnations of the operation as a violation of sovereignty but have stopped short of material intervention, likely waiting to assess the stability of the Rodríguez transition.
- United States: The Trump administration has framed the capture as a major victory for national security and the war on drugs, leveraging it to demand exclusive energy partnerships with the new Venezuelan leadership.
In-Depth Q&A
Q: Where is Nicolas Maduro currently being held?
Nicolas Maduro is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York, following his capture on January 3, 2026.
Q: What charges is Nicolas Maduro facing in the US?
He faces charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, originally filed in the Southern District of New York in 2020.
Q: Who is currently running Venezuela after Maduro’s capture?
Delcy Rodríguez, the former Vice President, was sworn in as Acting President by the Venezuelan Supreme Court and is currently leading a transitional government.
Q: Was the reward for Maduro’s capture paid?
No. Although the US Department of State had raised the reward to $50 million, no bounty was paid because the capture was executed directly by US military forces rather than by informants.
Q: What is Operation Absolute Resolve?
Operation Absolute Resolve is the codename for the US military operation conducted on January 3, 2026, that resulted in the capture and extraction of Nicolas Maduro from Caracas.
