U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Maduro in a pre-dawn raid, charging him with drug trafficking and weapons offenses.

In early January 2026, U.S. forces conducted a pre-dawn raid in Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a period of escalating tensions. The operation, reportedly influenced by a viral video of Maduro dancing to a remix of his own "No crazy war" message, was seen by some U.S. officials as a defiant act mocking American threats. Maduro and his wife were flown to New York to face federal drug trafficking and weapons charges. President Donald Trump announced the U.S. would temporarily oversee Venezuela’s governance, citing the need to rebuild infrastructure and unlock oil resources. The move drew global condemnation, with critics questioning its legality and proportionality, while some allies supported action against a regime long accused of corruption and human rights abuses.