Venezuela has descended into a state of profound uncertainty following a dramatic U.S. military operation in its capital. The crisis erupted when U.S. President Donald Trump announced via social media that a large-scale strike had resulted in the capture and extraction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from the country.
In a rapidly unfolding sequence of events, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez issued an urgent audio statement on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, revealing that the whereabouts of President Maduro and the First Lady remained unknown. Speaking through the Telesur network, Rodriguez formally demanded that the Trump administration provide immediate ‘proof of life’ evidence for both individuals, citing grave concerns over their welfare and status.
The operation, which Trump described as coordinated with U.S. law enforcement agencies, targeted Caracas in what the Venezuelan government condemned as a ‘complete brutal aggression’ violating international law and national sovereignty. Rodriguez emphasized that despite the attack, Venezuela remained calm while ‘digesting this military aggression’ that had fundamentally challenged the nation’s peace and tranquility.
Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau celebrated the development on social media, proclaiming ‘a new dawn for Venezuela’ and asserting that the ‘tyrant would finally face justice for his crimes.’ This stark contrast in narratives highlighted the deepening diplomatic chasm between the two nations.
In a related development, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar explicitly distanced her nation from the military operations, affirming that her country maintained peaceful relations with Venezuela and played no role in the ongoing conflict. The international community now watches closely as both nations prepare for further announcements, including a scheduled news conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.