On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the United States conducted a major military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The U.S. government confirmed that both individuals were taken into custody and are now being held in Brooklyn, New York, pending prosecution on charges alleging their involvement in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The operation, which unfolded with significant force, has so far been linked to at least 80 deaths. Among the fatalities were 32 Cuban military and police personnel, who were in Venezuela as part of a security cooperation mission supporting the Maduro government.
The raid has triggered a sharp diplomatic backlash. Venezuela has condemned the operation, denouncing it as a violation of national sovereignty. Cuba has declared a period of mourning for its fallen service members and is demanding the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
The unfolding situation is likely to have broad implications for regional security and U.S.-Latin America relations, raising urgent questions about international law, counter-narcotics strategy, and geopolitical stability in the hemisphere.
