Trump’s announcement came hours after a lightning attack in which special forces grabbed Maduro and his wife, while airstrikes pounded multiple sites, stunning the capital city. In another surprise, Trump indicated that US troops could be deployed in Venezuela. Although the operation is being framed as a law-enforcement action, Trump made clear that regime change and Venezuela’s oil riches are the major goals. Maduro, 63, and his wife “gave up” without a struggle, and there was “no loss of US life,” he said. Maduro — in power since 2013 after taking over from leftist mentor Hugo Chavez — long accused Trump of seeking regime change in order to control Venezuela’s huge oil reserves.

Source: Punch January 03, 2026 18:39 UTC