Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan President, was apprehended by the Trump administration in a daring and swift operation over the weekend, causing widespread shock. Maduro, 63, and his wife, Cilla Flores, 69, were seized from Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, in an operation named “Operation Absolute Resolve” conducted by the Delta Force, an elite unit of the US military. The operation involved military personnel supported by aircraft, targeting military installations and the mausoleum of Hugo Chavez.
Videos captured by Venezuelans showed intense flames and smoke rising from the area, contrasting with official photos released by the Trump administration depicting Maduro in casual attire being processed in New York. Maduro had been indicted on drug and terrorism charges in a court in the Southern District of New York in 2020. The unsealed indictment detailed the charges he faces, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons.
Maduro has been transported to New York to face these charges, as seen in video footage released by the White House showing him being escorted by DEA agents. Previous images shared on Truth Social by Trump showed Maduro bound and blindfolded on the USS Iwo Jima assault ship. The operation, which had been planned for months, ended surprisingly casually, with agents posing with the captured former President.
The US military strike targeted military installations and a port in Venezuela, resulting in dramatic scenes of smoke and fire. Venezuelan authorities have alleged that the strikes also affected civilian populations. Images taken post-attack revealed significant damage to military infrastructure. Maduro has been shown multiple times with his captors since his arrest, displaying a more relaxed demeanor. He has been photographed in the US making gestures like thumbs up and peace signs. Following his arrival in the US, Maduro was taken to a detention center in New York, while Donald Trump shared pictures of himself during the operation from Mar-a-Lago.