New Delhi, January 3: Hours after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces in a high-risk military operation, US President Donald Trump posted an image of a handcuffed and blindfolded Maduro on his Truth Social account, triggering intense global reaction.

Speaking to The New York Times shortly after US aircraft exited Venezuelan airspace, Trump described the mission as “a brilliant operation.” He later told Fox & Friends that while some American troops were injured during the strike, there were no fatalities. US Strikes on Venezuela: Donald Trump Says Nicolas Maduro, Wife Cilia Flores Held on US Warship, Face Prosecution in New York.

Trump Releases 1st Picture Of Nicolas Maduro On Board US Warship

The operation marks a defining moment in Trump’s second-term foreign policy, underscoring his willingness to deploy US military power despite repeated pledges to keep America out of prolonged wars. The Maduro raid follows another major action in June, when Trump authorized US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, reinforcing his aggressive posture toward perceived adversaries.

Saturday’s development has unsettled diplomatic circles worldwide, as governments adjust to what analysts describe as a “Trump 2.0” doctrine - one that prioritises unilateral action over global consensus on matters of war and peace. Who Is Nicolas Maduro? The Rise of Venezuela’s First Working-Class President Who Refused to Give Up Power.

Just a day earlier, Trump issued a warning to Iran, saying the US would “come to their rescue” if Iranian authorities violently suppress protests sparked by the collapse of the country’s currency.

With the Venezuela operation, Trump appears to have acted on commitments outlined in his National Security Strategy released last month, which emphasised asserting US dominance across the Western Hemisphere.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2026 10:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).