Live Updated Sat Jan 03 2026 16:36:12 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a "large-scale strike" on Venezuela.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi has said that Maduro and Flores have now been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
Maduro was charged with drugs and weapons offenses, Bondi said, adding that they would "soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts."
Venezuela said the US had carried out strikes on Caracas and the coastal states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira early Saturday.
Trump had repeatedly threatened Venezuela with military action in recent months as tensions with Maduro soured over what the Trump administration says are drug trafficking networks in the country. Caracas has maintained that Washington's aim is to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
Follow this liveblog for updates.
Former Maduro official could be key to criminal case
Notably absent from the 2026 indictment is Hugo Armando Carvajal Barrios. Known informally as "El Pollo," Carvajal Barrios was a high-ranking member of the Maduro government before he broke ranks in 2019. He went into hiding in Spain and was captured (twice) before being extradited to the United States, where he pleaded guilty last June to a range of drug-related charges.
El Pollo is mentioned seven times in the new indictment, suggesting he could be key to the government's case against Maduro.
Venezuelan opposition leader releases statement
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has released a public statement, saying the opposition is "prepared to enforce our mandate and take power."
"Nicolás Maduro, as of today, is facing international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations," the statement reads.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has released a public statement, saying the opposition is "prepared to enforce our mandate and take power."
"Nicolás Maduro, as of today, is facing international justice for the atrocious crimes committed against Venezuelans and against citizens of many other nations," the statement reads.
"In light of his refusal to accept a negotiated exit, the government of the United States has fulfilled its promise to uphold the rule of law."
Watch Trump's press conference on Maduro
Trump is scheduled to speak from Mar-a-Lago about the Venezuela raid that captured Maduro. You can watch on the White House livestream below.
The DOJ's case against Maduro dates back years
Manhattan federal prosecutors indicted Muduro and other members of his government in 2020, during the first Trump administration.
That indictment carried many of the same charges cited by US Attorney General Pam Bondi on Saturday as the basis for Saturday's arrest.
Manhattan federal prosecutors indicted Muduro and other members of his government in 2020, during the first Trump administration.
That indictment carried many of the same charges cited by US Attorney General Pam Bondi on Saturday as the basis for Saturday's arrest.
The 2020 case, which remains active, alleges narco-terrorism conspiracy and conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession and use of machine guns and destructive devices. It does not, however, mention Maduro's wife, Cilia Flores, suggesting that the latest charges could be brought in a refiled or expanded indictment.
