New Delhi, January 4: Invoking a modernised Monroe Doctrine, US President Donald Trump on January 3, 2026, announced that American special operations forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a dramatic overnight military action. The operation, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, marks one of the most aggressive US interventions in Latin America in decades.

According to US officials, Mr Maduro was detained at his residence on a military base near Caracas and flown to New York to face federal charges linked to narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. The White House said the mission was carried out without American fatalities, describing it as a decisive application of the Monroe Doctrine to counter criminal threats in the Western Hemisphere. Donald Trump Says He Watched Nicolas Maduro ‘Capture’ Live, Calls It ‘Like a Television Show’.

Details of the Military Operation

The operation reportedly began around 2:00 am local time, with at least seven explosions heard near key military installations in Caracas. Witnesses described low-flying aircraft and helicopters over the capital as elite US units, including Delta Force, moved to secure the president. Smoke was seen rising from the La Carlota military airfield and the Fuerte Tiuna military complex. Venezuelan authorities confirmed casualties among military personnel and civilians, but did not disclose figures. ‘We’re Going to Run the Country Until We Can Do a Safe, Proper, and Judicious Transition’, Says Donald Trump After Capturing Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and Wife (Watch Video).

Legal Charges and US Custody

The US Department of Justice has unsealed a superseding indictment in the Southern District of New York, charging Mr Maduro and Ms Flores with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation and weapons offences. US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the couple would “face the full force of American justice” for allegedly leading the so-called Cartel of the Suns. A photograph released by the White House showed Mr Maduro handcuffed and blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima.

What Is the Monroe Doctrine?

First articulated in 1823, the Monroe Doctrine warned European powers against interference in the Americas, asserting the Western Hemisphere as a US sphere of influence. President Trump has rebranded it as the “Don-roe Doctrine,” arguing it justifies unilateral US action to counter security threats, organised crime and hostile regimes in the region.

Reaction in Caracas and Beyond

In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president by the Supreme Court and condemned the operation as “imperialist aggression.” Regionally, leaders including Gustavo Petro warned that the strike set a dangerous precedent. The United Nations Security Council is expected to meet on January 5 to assess the impact on regional stability.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2026 06:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).