BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT

U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores during Operation Absolute Resolve, a pre-dawn strike involving over 150 aircraft against targets across northern Venezuela. At least 40 Venezuelan civilians and military personnel were killed in strikes on Caracas, Fuerte Tiuna, La Carlota Air Base, and surrounding areas. Maduro arrived in New York Saturday evening and is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn pending arraignment Monday on narco-terrorism charges.

Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume acting president duties under Articles 233-234 of the constitution, though she publicly rejected any cooperation with Washington and demanded Maduro's release. Opposition leaders María Corina Machado (2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate) and Edmundo González Urrutia declared they are "ready to take power" and called for immediate democratic transition.

The UN Security Council will convene an emergency session Monday, January 5 at 10:00 AM EST at the request of Venezuela and Colombia.

U.S. GOVERNMENT STATEMENTS

President Trump held a press conference at Mar-a-Lago Saturday morning flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump described the operation as "one of the most stunning, effective and powerful displays of American military might and confidence in American history," comparing it to World War II-era operations.

Trump announced the U.S. would "run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition." He framed the operation as an application of the Monroe Doctrine, which he styled as the "Donroe Doctrine," stating that "American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again."

On Venezuela's oil reserves, Trump stated U.S. companies would "go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country." He added that the U.S. was prepared to launch a second, much larger attack if necessary.

Defense Secretary Hegseth told reporters that Maduro "f'd around and he found out," adding that "no other country could pull this off" and that "our adversaries remain on notice."

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Maduro and Flores face narco-terrorism conspiracy charges in the Southern District of New York. The Justice Department unsealed a superseding indictment adding to previous 2020 charges.

MADURO: CURRENT STATUS

Maduro and his wife were captured at their residence within Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex in Caracas, according to Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández. They were initially transported aboard the USS Iwo Jima before being flown to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York aboard a Department of Justice aircraft.

Photos released by the White House showed Maduro handcuffed and escorted by DEA Administrator Terry Cole. The White House Rapid Response account shared video showing Maduro walking down a hallway on a carpet marked "DEA NYD" with the caption: "Perp walked."

Maduro was transported by helicopter to New York City and taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Arraignment is expected Monday in Manhattan federal court.

VENEZUELAN REGIME RESPONSE

The Venezuelan government's core leadership structure remains intact. Key figures have taken public positions asserting continuity while condemning the U.S. operation.

Vice President Delcy Rodríguez: Venezuela's Supreme Court ordered Rodríguez to assume acting president duties under Articles 233, 234, and 239 of the constitution, citing Maduro's "material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions" due to "foreign military aggression." Under Article 231, if Maduro's removal constitutes "absolute absence," mandatory new elections would be required within 30 consecutive days. The unprecedented nature of foreign military capture creates constitutional grey area.

Rodríguez chaired a National Defense Council session Saturday afternoon surrounded by ministers and senior officials. She called Maduro's capture "barbaric," an "illegal and illegitimate kidnapping" and an attack on Venezuelan sovereignty. "There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolás Maduro," she stated. Notably, she has NOT declared herself interim president or mentioned political transition in televised addresses.

Rodríguez holds simultaneous roles as Vice President, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Hydrocarbons (since August 2024). She controls Venezuela's most critical institutions: oil sector, finance ministry, and intelligence agency (SEBIN).

Initial reports suggested Rodríguez was outside Venezuela, possibly in Russia, at the time of the strike. However, Russia denied these reports.

Trump claimed that Rubio spoke with Rodríguez, who allegedly said "We'll do whatever you need." Trump called her "quite gracious" but added "she doesn't really have a choice." Rodríguez's subsequent public statements directly contradicted this characterization.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello: Appeared on state television in a helmet and flak jacket hours after the strikes. Cabello called on pro-government colectivos and supporters to mobilize, describing the U.S. action as a "cowardly attack" and "criminal aggression." He urged Venezuelans to "get out on the streets" to defend sovereignty while calling for calm. "These rats attacked and they will regret what they did," he said.

Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino López: Appeared in fatigues condemning the operation as "the worst aggression" Venezuela has faced. "They've attacked us but they will not subdue us," he said. Padrino announced military forces would be deployed across Venezuela and called for resistance. He stated the strikes were "far from a supposed fight against narcoterrorism" and instead sought "to definitely force a regime change."

Military Forces: FANB has an estimated 123,000 active personnel, plus mobilized militias reportedly exceeding 8 million. Pro-regime armed civilian groups (colectivos) maintain control in poor neighborhoods with an estimated 200,000 personnel.

CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS

Tren de Aragua (TDA): Designated by U.S. as Foreign Terrorist Organization. Led by Héctor Guerrero ("Niño Guerrero"), estimated to command 4,000+ members. U.S. claims TDA operates under Maduro government direction, though U.S. intelligence assesses Venezuelan government "probably does not control" TDA operations in U.S. TDA was not captured in the operation and represents ongoing security threat.

Other Armed Groups: ELN (Colombian guerrillas), FARC dissidents, and Middle Eastern groups (Hamas, Hezbollah) reportedly maintain presence in Venezuela. Their response to the power vacuum remains a significant uncertainty.

SITUATION ON THE GROUND

Caracas streets remained largely empty Saturday, with residents staying indoors out of fear and uncertainty. CNN footage showed nearly deserted streets and highways. Long lines formed at supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations as residents stocked up on essentials.

"What will happen tomorrow? What will happen in the next hour? Nobody knows," said Caracas resident Juan Pablo Petrone.

"How do I feel? Scared, like everyone," said resident Noris Prada. "Venezuelans woke up scared, many families couldn't sleep."

Some areas of Caracas remained without power. La Guaira port sustained visible damage with destroyed containers. The main highway from Simón Bolívar International Airport to Caracas was blocked by concrete barriers.

Pro-Government Mobilization: Armed civilians and uniformed members of civilian militias (colectivos) took to the streets in neighborhoods considered Chavismo strongholds. Near Miraflores presidential palace, supporters gathered. Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez joined protesters chanting "Maduro, hold on, the people are rising up!"

VENEZUELAN DIASPORA REACTION

Doral, Florida: The suburb 15 miles west of Miami, known as "Doralzuela" for its large Venezuelan immigrant population, erupted in celebration starting in pre-dawn hours. Crowds gathered outside El Arepazo, an arepa shop popular among Venezuelan expatriates. Demonstrators sang Venezuela's national anthem, chanted "Liberty!" and waved Venezuelan flags.

"Justice is being served for all the Venezuelans who left our country," said Kirvin Suarez.

Madrid, Spain: Dozens of Venezuelans celebrated at Puerta del Sol. Spain hosts one of the largest Venezuelan communities in Europe.

Anti-Intervention Protests: Demonstrators gathered outside the White House in Washington, organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, carrying signs reading "No war for oil." Similar protests occurred in Boston, Minneapolis, Rome, Mexico City, and Buenos Aires. Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel joined protesters in Havana.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres said he was "deeply alarmed" by the escalation, stating it "constitutes a dangerous precedent" with "worrying implications for the region." The Security Council will convene January 5 at the request of Colombia, Russia, and China.

Russia: Foreign Ministry called the strikes "an act of armed aggression" that is "deeply concerning and condemnable."

China: Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it was "deeply shocked and strongly condemns the U.S. for recklessly using force against a sovereign state." China accused the U.S. of "hegemonic behavior" that "seriously violates international law."

Colombia: President Gustavo Petro called for immediate UN Security Council and OAS meetings, stating the U.S. attack is "aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and Latin America." Colombia deployed forces to the border anticipating potential refugee influx.

Brazil: President Lula da Silva issued a strong condemnation: "The bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line."

European Union: High Representative Kaja Kallas stated Maduro "lacks legitimacy" but "the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected."

United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the UK was not involved, emphasizing "we should all uphold international law." Notably, the UK halted sharing intelligence on suspected drug boats with the U.S., citing unwillingness to be complicit in extrajudicial killings.

France: Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused the U.S. of violating international law, stating "no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside."

Germany: Convened Federal Crisis Cabinet and expressed "great concern." CDU politician Roderich Kiesewetter labeled U.S. action a "coup" and accused the U.S. of abandoning the post-1945 rules-based international order.

Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the U.S. "knows how to deal with dictators."

Argentina: President Javier Milei posted "FREEDOM MOVES FORWARD. LONG LIVE FREEDOM DAMMIT."

Israel: Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar commended the operation, stating "Israel stands alongside the freedom-loving Venezuelan people."

U.S. DOMESTIC POLITICAL RESPONSE

Republican Support: Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) stated: "The interim government in Venezuela must now decide whether to continue the drug trafficking and colluding with adversaries like Iran and Cuba or whether to act like a normal nation."

Democratic Opposition: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stated the administration "has not sought congressional authorization for the use of military force."

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman, asked: "Does this mean any large country can indict the ruler of a smaller adjacent country and take that person out?"

OPPOSITION LEADER POSITION

María Corina Machado (2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate) declared "the hour of freedom has arrived" and stated the opposition is "ready to uphold our mandate and take power." She called for immediate recognition of Edmundo González Urrutia as legitimate president and Commander-in-Chief of the National Armed Forces. She left Venezuela in December 2025 to receive her Nobel Prize in Norway.

Trump notably snubbed Machado at his press conference, stating she "didn't have the support to run the country" and indicating preference for working with Rodríguez instead.

Edmundo González Urrutia (opposition presidential candidate, in exile in Spain since September 2024) stated "these are decisive hours" and affirmed readiness for the "great operation of national reconstruction." He claims electoral mandate from the July 28, 2024 presidential election, which the opposition asserts he won despite official results favoring Maduro.

90-Day Risk Outlook: Venezuela