US Seizes Maduro in Caracas as Opposition Is Marginalized
After a U.S. operation in Caracas, Maduro and his wife are seized; Venezuela's opposition is sidelined, while Machado's pick González Urrutia is officially declared winner.
Overview
Maduro faces charges and is jailed in New York on drug-related accusations, while his administration continues to govern Venezuela amid international controversy.
A U.S. military operation in Caracas attempted to seize Maduro and his wife, drawing international attention as the opposition remains sidelined.
Machado barred from running in 2024; Machado's pick González Urrutia, a retired ambassador, to represent her on the ballot, signaling strategy in exile.
González Urrutia declared winner; U.S. and several nations recognize him as legitimate, challenging Maduro’s initial reported victory amid questions about the electoral process.
Constitutional conditions require a presidential election within 30 days if the president is unavailable; implications if the Supreme Court omits the 180-day limit remain contested.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this as a legitimacy and governance crisis, foregrounding Maduro’s repression, the U.S. role in removing him, and the contested outcomes between González and Machado. They highlight international recognition contrasts, emphasize concerns about executive overreach, and cite diverse political voices to portray a fragile transition rather than a clear democratic turnaround.
Sources (8)
FAQ
Operation Absolute Resolve was a U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026, involving 150 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps that bombed infrastructure in northern Venezuela and captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores at his residence in Caracas.
Nicolás Maduro is in custody in the United States, jailed in New York, facing drug-related and narco-terrorism charges, and is expected to go on trial.
González Urrutia is a retired ambassador picked by opposition leader María Corina Machado, barred from running in 2024, to represent her on the ballot; he has been declared the winner of the election and is recognized as legitimate by the U.S. and several nations.
The Trump administration has stated it is running Venezuela temporarily until its oil infrastructure is rebuilt and it can hand over to local authorities, with recent agreements for oil delivery to the U.S. and potential steps like freeing political detainees.
Venezuela's constitution requires a presidential election within 30 days if the president is unavailable, but implications if the Supreme Court omits the 180-day limit are contested amid the ongoing governance by Maduro's administration.
History
5 sources