Nicolás Maduro Moros (born 1962), who led Venezuela for over a decade as the hand-picked successor to Hugo Chávez, was de facto removed from power on January 3, 2026. Following a high-stakes U.S. military operation, he is currently being held in federal custody in the United States.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Nicolás Maduro Moros |
| Born | November 23, 1962, Caracas, Venezuela |
| Former Office | President of Venezuela (2013–2026) |
| Current Status | In U.S. Federal Custody (since Jan 3, 2026) |
| Current Charge | Narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. |
| Successor | Delcy Rodríguez (Acting/Interim President in Caracas) |
January 2026: Operation Absolute Resolve
The landscape of South American politics was fundamentally altered in the first week of 2026 by a dramatic military intervention.
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The Capture (Jan 3, 2026): In the early morning hours, U.S. special operations forces launched “Operation Absolute Resolve” (also referred to as Operation Resolve). The surgical strike targeted the Fort Tiuna military complex in Caracas. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in an underground bunker and immediately extracted from the country via the U.S. Navy ship USS Iwo Jima.
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Arraignment in New York (Jan 5, 2026): On Monday, Maduro appeared in a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan. He and his wife pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from a 2020 indictment, which alleges he led the Cartel de los Soles (Cartel of the Suns). Their next court date is scheduled for March 17, 2026.
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Global Reaction: The capture has divided the international community. While the UK and Argentina praised the move as a step toward restoring democracy, nations like Russia, China, and Mexico have condemned it as a “kidnapping” and a violation of international law. The UN Security Council met on January 5 to debate the legality of the unilateral use of force.
Current Situation in Venezuela
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Interim Leadership: Following the capture, the Venezuelan Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to take over. She was sworn in as acting president on January 5, 2026, before the National Assembly. She maintains that Maduro remains the de jure president and has called for his immediate release.
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Security & Economy: Venezuela remains under a state of emergency. While the streets of Caracas are reportedly calm but tense, there has been a surge in panic-buying of essentials. The U.S. has signaled it will exert “tremendous leverage” through an oil quarantine to force a transition to a “legitimate government” reflecting the 2024 election results.
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Prisoner Releases: On January 8, 2026, the transitional authorities in Caracas released 18 political prisoners, a move seen by some analysts as an attempt to de-escalate tensions with the U.S.
The Charges and Legal Battle
The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed a detailed indictment against Maduro and several associates, including his son Nicolás Maduro Guerra and former Minister of Interior Diosdado Cabello.
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Narcotics: The U.S. alleges Maduro used his office to facilitate the shipment of tons of cocaine into the United States.
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Weapons: He faces charges for the possession and use of machine guns and “destructive devices” to protect his illicit trade.
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Asset Freezes: On January 5, 2026, Switzerland froze all assets belonging to Maduro and his associates to prevent them from being moved during the legal proceedings.