Venezuelans celebrate after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Martin Mejia, Associated Press
The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a military operation early Saturday, with plans to transport him to a federal jail in New York City where he would face charges related to narco-terrorism.
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The Trump administration’s action triggered reactions across the world that ranged from celebration to condemnation.
Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Matias Delacroix, Associated Press
Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Matias Delacroix, Associated Press
Members of the presidential guard stand outside the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Cristian Hernandez, Associated Press
The National Assembly building is lightened in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Matias Delacroix, Associated Press
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. | Cristian Hernandez, Associated Press
Pedestrians walk past destroyed containers at La Guaira port after explosions were heard in Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Matias Delacroix, Associated Press
Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Matias Delacroix, Associated Press
A woman who lives next to La Carlota airport shows damage to her home after explosions at the airport in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Ariana Cubillos, Associated Press
Supporters display a poster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. | Cristian Hernandez, Associated Press
Pro-government armed civilians deploy in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. | Cristian Hernandez, Associated Press
Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Esteban Felix, Associated Press
President Donald Trump, followed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, arrives to speak at Mar-a-Lago, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press
President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago Club, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. | Alex Brandon, Associated Press
Venezuelans watch a live televised broadcast of U.S. President Donald Trump speaking at a press conference about the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Natacha Pisarenko, Associated Press
This photo, contained in a TruthSocial post from President Donald Trump, shows a photo described as being Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | TruthSocial via the Associated Press
A Venezuelan celebrates holding a banner with a message that reads in Spanish: "At last Venezuela is free" after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Esteban Felix, Associated Press
Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Bernat Armangue, Associated Press
Maribel Gonzalez celebrates outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Jen Golbeck, Associated Press
Supporters and dissenters of President Donald Trump argue across the street outside of Mar-a-Lago following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. | Allison Robbert, Associated Press
A person holding a Venezuelan national flag protests outside the U.S. Embassy against the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Marco Ugarte, Associated Press
A woman defaces the facade of the U.S. Embassy with red handprints in protest against the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Marco Ugarte, Associated Press
Pro-government armed civilians block streets in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. | Matias Delacroix, Associated Press
U.S. military aircraft are parked on the tarmac at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2025. | Alejandro Granadillo, Associated Press
A Venezuelan national watches a live televised broadcast of U.S. President Donald Trump speaking at a press conference about the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, at a Venezuelan restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Natacha Pisarenko, Associated Press
Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Bernat Armangue, Associated Press
Venezuelan Communications Minister Freddy Nanez raises a fist as he leaves the vice president's office in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Matias Delacroix, Associated Press
A supporter holds a poster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. | Ariana Cubillos, Associated Press
Venezuelans celebrate the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro outside of Mar-a-Lago, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. | Allison Robbert, Associated Press
Hats and flags are for sale after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Doral, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Jen Golbeck, Associated Press
Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. | Bernat Armangue, Associated Press
Cubans attends a rally in Havana, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. | Ramon Espinosa, Associated Press
Pedestrians cross the border from Venezuela into Villa del Rosario, Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. | Santiago Saldarriaga, Associated Press
Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Associated Press
Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. | Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Associated Press
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