Key moments within the US arrest of and case in opposition to Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro | EUROtoday

After obvious months of planning, the U.S. strike that resulted within the arrest of Venezuelan chief Nicolás Maduro unfolded swiftly over the weekend, with American forces converging on Caracas to arrest Maduro and his spouse.

In subsequent days, Maduro can be spirited from a U.S. warship to a aircraft and in the end a downtown Manhattan courthouse, the place he would enter a not responsible plea on narco-terrorism prices.

Trump and U.S. army leaders gave particulars of the operation, and Venezuelan officers spoke out in opposition to it. Global leaders thought of the state of affairs in venues together with the United Nations, and Venezuelans dwelling within the U.S. celebrated the information of Maduro’s seize.

This is how the operation unfolded:

Jan. 2, 2026

10:46 p.m. EST: Trump offers go-ahead for U.S. strikes in Venezuela.

Jan. 3, 2026

1:01 a.m. EST: U.S. forces arrive at Maduro compound in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

3:29 a.m. EST: U.S. forces are “over the water” — which means past the shoreline — on their method from Venezuela again to American ships stationed within the Caribbean Sea.

4:21 a.m. EST: Trump proclaims on Truth Social that the U.S. has carried out a “large scale strike” in opposition to Venezuela and captured Maduro. The U.S. president says he’ll maintain a information convention at 11 a.m. EST.

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Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez mentioned, “We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.”

She added, “We demand proof of life.” ————————- U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned Maduro and his spouse will face legal prices after an indictment in New York, vowing in a social media submit that the couple will “soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.” —————————— In South Florida, Venezuelans celebrated the information of Maduro’s seize at a rally held exterior a South American eatery. —————— Trump instructed Fox News that the couple had been aboard the U.S. warship Iwo Jima and headed to New York, the place they might face prosecution. ————————— The Justice Department launched a brand new indictment accusing Maduro and his spouse for his or her alleged roles in a narco-terrorism conspiracy. ———————— Trump posted a photograph on social media displaying Maduro carrying a sweatsuit and a blindfold with the caption “Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.” —————————- Accompanying Trump at a press convention — which received underway almost 40 minutes after its scheduled 11 a.m. EST begin time — had been Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Stephen Miller, a prime White House aide overseeing homeland safety issues. ——————— Trump mentioned the U.S. was “ going to run” Venezuela till a “judicious” transition of energy. At that second, there have been no seen indicators the U.S. was controlling the nation. ———————— In a televised tackle to the nation lasting lower than quarter-hour, Rodríguez left open the door for dialogue with the U.S. whereas additionally looking for to calm ruling get together supporters.

“Here, we have a government with clarity, and I repeat and repeat again … we are willing to have respectful relations,” she mentioned, referring to the Trump administration. “It is the only thing we will accept for a type of relationship after having attacked (Venezuela).”

Venezuela’s excessive court docket ordered Rodriguez to imagine the function of interim president, and the chief was backed by Venezuela’s army. ——————- A aircraft carrying Maduro arrived in New York following his seize by the U.S., an AP supply mentioned.

Jan. 4, 2026

In an announcement learn on Cuban state TV, the Cuban authorities introduced that the American army strikes in Venezuela had killed 32 Cuban army and law enforcement officials who had been on a mission on the request of Venezuela’s authorities.

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In feedback aboard Air Force One flying from Florida to Washington, Trump mentioned Venezuela was sick and wanted U.S. assist, including: “Colombia’s very sick, too. Run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States. And he’s not going to be doing it very long.”

Asked if which may imply a U.S. operation that would goal Colombia President Gustavo Petro, Trump responded, “Sounds good to me.”

Saying he had repeatedly supplied U.S. troops to Mexico, which he mentioned “has to get their act together” on drug trafficking, Trump mentioned President Claudia Sheinbaum is “concerned, she’s a little afraid.”

Questioned about U.S. army drive in Cuba, nonetheless, Trump mentioned: “I think it’s just going to fall. … I don’t think we need any action.”

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Jan. 5, 2026

Maduro arrives on the federal courthouse in New York City. ————— The U.N. Security Council held an emergency assembly, the place each allies and adversaries of the United States voiced opposition to the U.S. raid.

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Maduro’s son appeared in Venezuela’s National Assembly, the place the nation’s lawmakers elected in parliamentary elections final May had been set to be sworn in. Maduro Guerra, often known as “Nicolásito,” demanded that his mother and father be returned by American authorities and referred to as on worldwide assist.

———————— Maduro made his first look in a U.S. courtroom following his seize. —————————- Maduro pleaded harmless in a U.S. court docket, telling a choose, “I am a decent man, the president of my country.”

Maduro’s subsequent court docket date is ready for March 17.