Maduro’s Midnight Fall: When Trump's Southern Spear Struck Venezuela

Last Updated:January 03, 2026, 22:04 IST

The operation has resulted in the unprecedented capture and rendition of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by elite American special forces

The Trump administration has justified the intervention as a necessary measure to dismantle what it describes as a 'criminal narco-state'. File image

In a historic military escalation, the United States launched large-scale air and ground strikes on Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday. The operation, codenamed “Southern Spear“, has resulted in the unprecedented capture and rendition of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by elite American special forces. The strikes have triggered a profound political and military crisis, leaving the oil-rich nation reeling and the international community sharply divided.

The Assault: Pre-dawn Fire over Caracas

The kinetic phase of the operation began at approximately 02:00 local time (VET), as residents in the capital reported at least seven massive explosions and the roar of low-flying aircraft. Witnesses described smoke rising from key military installations, including the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base (La Carlota) and Fort Tiuna, the heavily fortified military complex where Maduro was believed to be residing.

Beyond the capital, the bombardment targeted strategic infrastructure across northern Venezuela, hitting the La Guaira port and antennas on Cerro El Volcán. US President Donald Trump, confirming the operation on Truth Social and in subsequent television interviews, described the raid as a “surgical" and “brilliant" mission. He revealed that the capture was executed by Delta Force operators who extracted the couple from a highly guarded “fortress." While no American lives were lost, the President noted that a US helicopter was hit, resulting in injuries to some personnel.

Rendition and Legal Charges

Following their capture, Maduro and Flores were reportedly transported to a US warship in the Caribbean. US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that they are being flown to New York to face charges of narco-terrorism, following a long-standing indictment in the Southern District of New York. Bondi vowed that the couple would face the “full wrath of American justice".

The Trump administration has justified the intervention as a necessary measure to dismantle what it describes as a “criminal narco-state" that has facilitated global drug trafficking and human rights abuses. Vice President JD Vance further asserted that the operation aimed to secure the return of “stolen oil", signalling a likely US involvement in the future management of Venezuela’s vast energy reserves—the largest in the world.

A Nation in Crisis

In Caracas, the immediate aftermath has been one of chaos. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez initially confirmed that Maduro’s whereabouts were unknown and demanded “proof of life", describing the event as a “criminal terrorist attack" on sovereign soil. Although Rodríguez would technically assume power under the Venezuelan constitution, her location has been the subject of conflicting reports, with some intelligence sources suggesting she may have sought refuge in Russia, while others claim she remains in the capital.

The Venezuelan military, led by Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López, has declared a national state of emergency and called for a “wall of resistance" against imperialist aggression. Reports indicate that pro-government militias have begun patrolling certain neighbourhoods, though large parts of Caracas remained eerily quiet as power outages hit the southern sectors of the city.

Fallout

The global reaction has been swift and polarised. China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba have issued blistering condemnations, labelling the strikes a flagrant violation of international law and a “hegemonic" act of state terrorism. In contrast, regional allies like Argentina and Ecuador have celebrated the move, with Argentine President Javier Milei hailing the advance of “liberty."

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified that Britain was not involved and called for the upholding of international law. Meanwhile, US domestic reaction is split; while many Republicans have lauded the “inherent authority" of the President to protect American interests, Democratic lawmakers have slammed the strikes as an “unauthorised and illegal" war launched without Congressional approval. As 2026 begins, the world now watches to see if this daring rendition will lead to a democratic transition or ignite a protracted regional conflict.

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