BREAKING: Trump Confirms Capture of Venezuelan President Maduro Following U.S. Military Strikes

Geopolitical shockwaves hit global markets as former President Donald Trump confirms the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—a move that follows reported U.S. military strikes and sends traditional finance scrambling.

Markets React to Unprecedented Move

Oil futures spike, gold wobbles, and sovereign debt markets freeze. Meanwhile, Bitcoin barely flinches—another reminder that decentralized assets don't ask for permission when regimes change.

The New Safe Haven Playbook

Forget bonds and bullion. Digital assets just demonstrated their ultimate stress test: immunity to geopolitical capture. While SWIFT freezes and central banks panic, crypto networks process transactions like nothing happened.

When Institutions Become the Risk

Traditional finance's worst nightmare—a major sovereign event—became reality today. And their response? The usual playbook: freeze accounts, restrict flows, and pray for stability. Meanwhile, cryptocurrency wallets in Caracas kept working.

Decentralization's Finest Hour

No emergency meetings. No bailouts. No permission needed. As one regime falls and another claims victory, the real winner might be the protocol no army can capture—and no president can control.

Bonus jab: Wall Street analysts are already drafting reports on how this 'validates the dollar's dominance'—while quietly moving client funds into stablecoins. Some hedges never change.

TLDR

• President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of Venezuela during a U.S. military operation
• The U.S. conducted strikes on military facilities and installations in Caracas early Saturday morning, with at least seven explosions heard around 2 a.m. local time
• Maduro was indicted in a U.S. court in 2020 for alleged narcoterrorism and the Trump administration has accused him of drug trafficking
• The operation followed months of U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier
• Trump scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. ET at Mar-a-Lago to provide more details about the operation

President Donald TRUMP announced early Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been captured and removed from the country following a U.S. military operation. Trump made the announcement in a post on Truth Social after strikes were carried out in Venezuela’s capital city of Caracas.

BREAKING: Trump confirms strike in Venezuela, says Maduro and wife have been 'captured' pic.twitter.com/8OkLawxk6s

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 3, 2026

The operation resulted in the capture of both Maduro and his wife, according to Trump’s statement. U.S. law enforcement authorities were involved in coordinating the operation, though Trump did not specify which agencies participated or provide details about how the capture was executed.

At least seven explosions were heard around 2 a.m. local time in Caracas on Saturday morning. Witnesses reported seeing low-flying aircraft and smoke rising from several locations, including La Carlota airport and Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex. The apparent attack lasted less than 30 minutes.

BREAKING: US officials confirm that President Trump ordered tonight's airstrikes on Venezuela's capital, per Fox News. pic.twitter.com/wk134D7gvt

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 3, 2026

The explosions sent residents rushing into the streets. Parts of the city remained without power two hours after the strikes ended. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace before the operation, citing “ongoing military activity.”

Background of U.S. Pressure Campaign

The operation comes after months of escalating military pressure on Venezuela. The U.S. has positioned the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and multiple warships in the Caribbean region. In recent weeks, American forces seized two oil tankers off Venezuela’s coast.

BREAKING: Videos emerge of US Apache helicopter strikes in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/L3yvR4k236

— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) January 3, 2026

The Trump administration also launched deadly strikes on more than 30 boats allegedly carrying drugs. President Trump previously ordered strikes on what he described as “the dock area where they load the boats up with drugs.” These actions were part of a broader campaign against Maduro’s government.

Maduro was indicted in a U.S. court in 2020 on charges of alleged narcoterrorism. The Trump administration has accused Maduro of drug trafficking and working with gangs designated as terrorist organizations. Maduro has denied these accusations.

On Christmas Eve, Trump declined to state his specific goals regarding Venezuela. He warned that if Maduro “plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough.” This statement came just over a week before Saturday’s military action.

Details of Saturday’s Operation

The strikes targeted both civilian and military installations in Caracas, according to the Venezuelan government. U.S. officials confirmed to CBS News that President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities. The operation was described as “large scale” in Trump’s announcement.

The exact number of casualties from the strikes was not immediately clear. Venezuela’s government accused the United States of attacking the installations but did not provide additional details. Venezuelan officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Maduro’s reported capture.

Vehicles moved freely through Caracas after the operation concluded. The city showed signs of returning to normal activity despite some areas remaining without electricity. Social media users posted reports of hearing and seeing the blasts throughout the capital.

Trump scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. ET at Mar-a-Lago to provide more information about the operation. The WHITE House and Pentagon had not commented on the explosions before Trump’s announcement. No other details about Maduro’s location or the plans for his prosecution have been released.