In a dramatic escalation, the United States has announced narco-terrorism and drug trafficking charges against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following his capture in a U.S. military strike on Caracas. President Donald Trump revealed the operation during a White House press conference on January 3, 2026, stating Maduro was flown out of Venezuela and will face trial in New York.
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Details of the Capture and Charges
The U.S. launched a “large-scale strike” early Saturday, with explosions and aircraft sounds reported in Caracas. Trump described the mission as bringing “dictator Maduro to justice,” accusing him of waging violence and subversion against the U.S. Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013, faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons.
These charges build on a 2020 indictment from Trump’s first term, where the Justice Department accused Maduro of leading a violent drug cartel. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed the indictment in the Southern District of New York, stating Maduro and Flores “will soon face the full wrath of American justice.”
The Trump administration linked Maduro to the Tren de Aragua gang and Cartel de los Soles, designated as terrorist organizations, claiming he facilitated drug trafficking into the U.S.
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Venezuelan Response and International Implications
Venezuelan officials demanded “immediate proof of life” for Maduro and Flores, denying the charges and condemning the U.S. action. The strike has raised concerns about regional stability, with Trump justifying it as necessary to combat threats to American communities.
This development marks a bold foreign policy move in Trump’s second term, potentially affecting U.S.-Latin America relations and oil markets, given Venezuela’s resources.
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