US President Donald Trump’s first reaction came after the massive attack in Venezuela on Saturday (January 3, 2026). He has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are under US capture and have been taken out of the country. America captured a sitting President from his own capital, which is rarely seen in current times. This action taken during Trump’s tenure is being compared to the American operations to capture Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden.

After Saddam Hussein and Laden, now Maduro

Senior security analysts have compared Venezuela’s claims of capturing Maduro to the US campaigns to capture Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, which changed the face of entire regions. Venezuela’s Vice President has asked for proof of Maduro and his wife being alive. A big question amidst all this is that if Maduro is really removed from power, then what will happen next for Venezuela and the region?

Experts say that the most historical example of this is the operation launched by the US in 1989 to arrest Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. Like Maduro, Noriega also claimed victory in the disputed elections. Washington had accused him of drug trafficking and he had to face heavy pressure from the US before removing him from power.

Manuel Noriega and Maduro have similar history: Expert

Analysts say the closest historical example is the US operation to arrest Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega in 1989. Like Maduro, Noriega claimed victory in disputed elections, accused Washington of drug trafficking and faced intense US pressure before removing him from power. Noriega’s arrest followed a conventional battle in which Panamanian forces were quickly defeated.

This time there has been a tremendous difference in America’s approach. According to BBC experts, evacuating the current president and his wife from Caracas without a ground attack would prove to be a bigger operation than Noriega’s arrest. This kind of precise action was taken by America in the capital of a country, which is very sensitive from security point of view.

Nick Patton Walsh, CNN’s chief of international security affairs, said this American action is reminiscent of the campaign against Osama bin Laden and the arrest of Saddam Hussein. He called it the most massive foreign military intervention of Trump’s presidency and said that this shows the extent to which President Trump believes in freedom to act at the global level.

US Attorney General Bondi said, ‘Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been sued in the Southern District of New York. Maduro has been charged with conspiracy to commit drug-related terrorism (narco-terrorism), conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to commit crimes against the United States. He will soon have to face justice in American courts.

What’s next for Venezuela?

If Maduro is forcibly removed from power, the consequences within Venezuela are uncertain. Supporters of US intervention argue that it would pave the way for a democratic transition, which could allow opposition leaders like María Corina Machado or Edmundo González, opposition candidate in the disputed 2024 elections, to take power.

Criminal gangs, Colombian guerrilla groups and drug trafficking networks are active in large parts of the country. Even in the absence of Maduro, these will not disappear overnight. The most likely outcome is neither immediate democracy nor civil war, but instability, power struggles, and negotiations with military elites.

After carrying out airstrike on Venezuela, Donald Trump claimed that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Adela Flores are now captured by American troops. Trump had previously warned several times about the possibility of a ground operation in Venezuela as part of his strategy to remove Venezuelan President Maduro. Maduro had said in his last interview on Thursday (1 January 2026) before this attack that he was ready to negotiate an agreement with the US to deal with drug trafficking.

We are ready for talks with America: Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in his last interview that he is ready to talk to America anywhere on issues related to oil and drugs. He said, ‘The US wants to put pressure on Venezuela to change its government and gain access to its vast oil reserves. He had said that this campaign of pressure began in August with the large-scale US military deployment in the Caribbean Sea and has been continuing for several months.

For the past three months, the US military has been targeting ships in the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific that they suspect of drug smuggling. Under this action, America has so far carried out more than 30 attacks, in which more than 100 people have died.

Attempt to end our freedom: Venezuela

Venezuela has strongly criticized the US government led by Donald Trump and accused it of carrying out a very serious military attack. The Venezuelan government said in its statement that the attack appears to be an attempt to capture Venezuela’s strategic resources, especially its oil and minerals, and to end the country’s political independence.

After the blasts, Venezuelan President Maduro has declared a national emergency. He ordered the implementation of all national defense plans, which gave him the authority to suspend the rights of the people and increase the role of the armed forces. The statement issued by the government read, ‘Today, in the spirit of Bolivar, Miranda and our liberator, the Venezuelan people have once again risen up to defend their freedom against attack. People, take to the streets.

Amidst the ongoing tension with America, several big explosions shook Venezuela’s capital Caracas on Saturday morning (January 3, 2026). The Venezuelan government has condemned the US, accusing it of attacking its civilian and military installations. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are now in America’s custody.

Maduro and his wife caught by US: Trump

Donald Trump claimed, ‘The United States has successfully launched a massive attack against Venezuela and its leader President Nicolas Maduro. Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and taken out of the country. This operation was done in collaboration with US Law Enforcement. Complete information regarding this will be given soon in a press conference.

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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) January 3, 2026

Trump had warned of ground operation in Venezuela

US President Donald Trump had previously warned several times about the possibility of a ground operation in Venezuela as part of his strategy to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Only after these warnings, several explosions were heard in Venezuela. To exert pressure, the US President has increased sanctions on Venezuela, increased the US military presence in the area and accused ships of drug trafficking in both the Caribbean and the Pacific.

America wants to change government in Venezuela: Maduro

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in a recorded interview on Thursday (1 December 2025) that the US wants to put pressure on Venezuela to change its government and gain access to its vast oil reserves. He had said that this campaign of pressure began in August with the large-scale US military deployment in the Caribbean Sea and has been continuing for several months.

America issued advisory for its citizens

America has issued an advisory for its citizens not to travel to Venezuela. It said, ‘Do not travel to Venezuela or stay there, otherwise you may be wrongfully detained and tortured. Kidnapping may also occur. There local laws can be misused against you.