What Next For Venezuela's Maduro And His Wife? Trump Says They’re Headed To New York

Last Updated:January 03, 2026, 21:14 IST

Venezuela President Maduro had been arrested by US personnel and would be taken to the United States to stand trial on criminal charges.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela. (IMAGE: AP PHOTO)

The future of Venezuela entered a period of deep uncertainty on Saturday after US President Donald Trump said that American forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and flown them out of the country.

Donald Trump said that Maduro and his wife are aboard the USS Iwo Jima and are heading to New York.  Trump said helicopters flew the couple out of Venezuela and took them to the ship.

What’s in store for Maduro?

“They’ll be heading into New York," he said, adding that it was “a nice flight". Trump accused Maduro and his wife of killing many people. He also said he personally spoke to Maduro before the operation. Trump said he offered him a way out but demanded surrender.

“You have to give up. You have to surrender," Trump said, calling the move an important symbol.

Trump said the United States will play a major role in deciding what happens next in Venezuela after its president was captured and flown out of the country. Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, Trump said Washington would be “very much" involved in choosing who governs the country. He said the US could not risk allowing someone else to simply take over power and continue the same policies.

Trump dismissed criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who said he should have sought approval from Congress and claimed the strike was illegal. He described his critics as “weak, stupid people" and blamed his political opponents for inflation in the United States.

The US President said the operation in Venezuela was “really genius" and complained that Democrats only criticise his actions. He said they should praise the move instead of questioning its legality. Trump also said he watched the capture of Maduro in real time.

According to a report by Reuters quoting CBS News, Maduro was captured by Delta Force, the US military’s elite special operations unit. Soon after Trump’s announcement, US Republican Senator Mike Lee said on X that he had spoken to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 

Lee claimed Rubio told him that Maduro had been arrested by US personnel and would be taken to the United States to stand trial on criminal charges. He added that no further US military action in Venezuela was expected now that Maduro was in custody.

Senior figures in the US government welcomed the development. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the moment as a “new dawn" for Venezuela. In a post on X, he said the country’s leader was gone and would now face justice for his alleged crimes.

What are the charges against Maduro?

What Venezuela said?

Inside Venezuela, the response was swift and tense. Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced the immediate deployment of military forces across the country. He called on the armed forces to unite against what he described as the “worst aggression" Venezuela had ever faced. López said the military was acting on Maduro’s orders and insisted that the country would not be subdued despite the attack.

The Venezuelan government also condemned the US action as an “imperialist attack" and urged citizens to take to the streets. However, there was confusion on the ground. It was not immediately clear who was in charge of the government, and official confirmation of Maduro’s whereabouts was lacking. 

As events continue to unfold, Venezuela faces a critical moment. With its president reportedly in US custody, its military on high alert and global powers weighing in, the country stands at a crossroads.

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