Fox News Hourly Update – 7PM ET, January 3, 2026

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This episode centers on the unprecedented U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in New York. It details the daring planning and execution of the raid, explores ongoing political fallout regarding war powers and congressional approval, and touches on other breaking news stories both domestic and international.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicolás Maduro’s Capture and Arrival in the U.S.

• Lead story: Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have arrived in New York facing narco-terrorism charges, following capture during an overnight U.S. military raid.
  • [00:02] Angelo Bavaro

2. U.S. Oversight of Venezuela and Oil Interests

• U.S. intentions in Venezuela:
  • The President announced the U.S. will oversee Venezuela "for an indefinite period," with a particular interest in Venezuelan oil infrastructure.
  • The President did not rule out deploying troops ("boots on the ground").
  • Key quote:
    • “The President says that the US will be running Venezuela for an indefinite period of time… US interest in the country’s oil as well.”
      • [00:16] Unnamed News Analyst
  • The legality of the operation is under scrutiny, with voices like Senator Tim Kaine questioning it, while the administration insists the capture was justified.
  • Maduro accused in a "superseding indictment" of using his power to support illegal activities, including drug trafficking.

3. Military Operation Details

• Scale and execution:
  • Congress was not notified prior to the operation.
  • Over 150 aircraft participated, helmed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff under General Dan Klein.
  • The storied raid included helicopters, stealth jets (F-22s, F-35s), strike fighters, electronic warfare jets, and a coordinated cyberattack.
    • Quote:
      • “The CIA had been tracking Maduro for about a month — his movements, what he ate, who his pets are, a pattern of life.”
        • [01:19] Unnamed Military Analyst
    • “U.S. cyber Command and the CIA turned off the lights.”
      • [01:19] Unnamed Military Analyst
  • All aircraft returned safely, though two U.S. military personnel were injured.
  • [01:09]-[01:45] Segment covers the raid's military details

4. Congressional Oversight and War Powers Debate

• Lack of Congressional Notification:
  • The administration claims the operation’s sensitive and conditioned nature prevented advance notification.
    • Quote:
      • “This was not the kind of mission that you can do congressional notification on. It was a trigger-based mission in which conditions had to be met night after night…”
        • [03:24] Unnamed Government or Military Official
  • Congress will debate the President’s war powers regarding Venezuela next week.
  • Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego criticizes the approach, warning against U.S. occupation and war for oil, drawing parallels to Iraq.
    • Quote:
      • “People do not want us to occupy…Venezuela. We don’t want to go to war again for another, you know, oil again. And someone experienced this in Iraq. Nothing good comes out of this.”
        • [03:59] Unnamed Interviewee or Commentator

5. U.S.–Venezuela Relations Going Forward

• Transition and Oil Reserves:
  • President Trump says the U.S. will control Venezuela until a new, stable leader is in place and oil exports can be properly and safely managed.
  • Quote:
    • “The US will run Venezuela until that country can safely transition to a new leader and also tap its oil reserves to sell to other nations.”
      • [04:10] Angelo Bavaro

6. Other News Briefs

• Police Sergeant Arrested in D.C.:
  • Kayla Cruz, a police sergeant, was arrested after a road rage incident involving a gun and crowbar; a loaded firearm was found in her vehicle.
    • [04:10]
• Swiss Nightclub Fire Investigation:
  • Authorities in Switzerland opened a criminal probe into a deadly New Year’s Eve fire, believed to have started when sparklers atop champagne ignited the ceiling, killing 40.
    • [04:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the legality and secrecy of the operation:
  • “Congress was not told of that operation ahead of time.”
    • [00:51] Angelo Bavaro
  • “This was not the kind of mission that you can do congressional notification on. It was a trigger-based mission...”
    • [03:24] Unnamed Government or Military Official
• On opposition to U.S. intervention:
  • “People do not want us to occupy…Venezuela. We don’t want to go to war again for another, you know, oil again.”
    • [03:59] Unnamed Interviewee or Commentator
• On operational intelligence:
  • “The CIA had been tracking Maduro for about a month…a pattern of life.”
    • [01:19] Unnamed Military Analyst
• On U.S. future plans:
  • “The US will run Venezuela until that country can safely transition to a new leader and also tap its oil reserves to sell to other nations.”
    • [04:10] Angelo Bavaro

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Maduro’s Capture & U.S. Military Action: [00:02] – [01:45]
• Congressional Debate & War Powers: [00:51], [03:24] – [03:59]
• U.S. Plans for Venezuela/Oil: [00:16], [04:10]
• Non-Venezuela News Briefs: [04:10]
• Recap of Top Story: [03:02]

This summary captures the urgent, high-stakes reporting style of Fox News, focusing on U.S. foreign policy, executive action, and the ripple effects both domestically and internationally, with direct attribution and representative language from the episode’s principal voices.