WASHINGTON — After months of growing military pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump ordered a brazen operation into the South American country to capture its leader and whisk him to the United States to face trial.
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President Donald Trump speaks Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
A destroyed armored vehicle sits Saturday at La Carlota airport in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions were reported at the site.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speaks Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., as President Donald Trump listens.
Smoke raises Saturday at La Carlota airport in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard.
U.S. military aircraft are parked on the tarmac Saturday at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico.
Venezuelans, others around the world react to Maduro's capture
Government supporters rip an American flag in half Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Madrid, Spain, after the U.S. captured Maduro.
Protesters rally Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, outside the White House in Washington, after the U.S. captured Maduro.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Santiago, Chile, after Trump announced Maduro was captured.
A woman cries Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, during a rally of Maduro's supporters in Caracas, Venezuela.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after Trump announced that the U.S. captured Maduro.
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro was captured.
Government supporters display posters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, right, and former President Hugo Chávez on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, after Trump announced Maduro's capture.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro was captured.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Madrid, Spain, after Maduro's capture.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Madrid, Spain, after the U.S. captured Maduro.
People stand near President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla.
Maribel Gonzalez celebrates Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine in Miami after the U.S. captured Maduro.
Venezuelans gather Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Quito, Ecuador, after the U.S. captured Maduro.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Lima, Peru, after the U.S. captured Maduro.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Santiago, Chile, while holding an image of Maduro with a message that reads in Spanish: "Thanks Chile, we will soon leave."
A government supporter holds dolls of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a rally Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela.
Venezuelans watch a live televised broadcast of Trump speaking at a Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, news conference about the capture of Maduro, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Lima, Peru, after the U.S. captured Maduro.
People demonstrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, outside the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City against the U.S. capture of Maduro.
Gustavo Garagorry celebrates Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine in Miami after Trump announced Maduro was captured.
People celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine in Miami after Trump announced Maduro was captured.
Venezuelans celebrate Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Quito, Ecuador, after Trump announced Maduro was captured.
