Trump confirms US strike in Venezuela, says President Nicolas Maduro has been 'captured'

Summary

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Fox News Hourly Update – Detailed Summary

Episode Title: Trump confirms US strike in Venezuela, says President Nicolas Maduro has been 'captured'
Date: January 3, 2026
Host: Paul Stevens
Reporters: Lucas Tomlinson, Ainsley Earhart, Chris DiMaio, David Spunt

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Overview

This episode delivers breaking news coverage of a dramatic U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Additional updates include a foiled ISIS-inspired domestic terror plot, changes in U.S. government contracts, and President Trump’s latest executive order on a technology deal involving China. The reporting emphasizes fast-moving major world events and immediate U.S. national security actions.

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Main Story: U.S. Military Operation Captures Maduro

Summary

The show opens with a breaking news alert about the U.S. military's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, in a special forces raid. The operation was confirmed by President Trump as a "law enforcement operation." Secretary of State Marco Rubio and multiple correspondents provide supporting details.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

• The Operation

  • Described as a "daring operation under the cover of darkness" at 2am local time in Caracas (00:13).
  • Involved Delta Force, 75th Ranger Regiment, SEAL Team 6, and 160th SOAR "Night Stalkers" helicopter aviation (00:15).
  • Targeted the compound where Maduro and his wife were sleeping (00:20).
  • President Trump confirmed the success on Truth Social, emphasizing its law enforcement nature (00:32).

• Justification and Aftermath

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Fox News that Maduro and his wife would face trial in the U.S. on "narco terrorism conspiracy" charges (00:57).
  • Indictments are filed in the Southern District of New York.

• On-the-Ground Reports from Venezuela

  • Multiple explosions and military activity were observed in Caracas, particularly near a military base with resultant power outages (01:19).
  • Eyewitnesses reported "airplanes in the skies" and "columns of smoke" in various parts of the capital (Ainsley Earhart, 01:22).

Notable Quotes

• Lucas Tomlinson (00:15):
  "A daring operation under the cover of darkness at 2am local time in Caracas. Special operations forces, likely the full silver bullet package...assaulted the compound where Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were sleeping."

• Paul Stevens (00:57):
  "Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling Fox News that Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the U.S..."

• Ainsley Earhart (01:19):
  "Explosions have been heard in Caracas, Venezuela. According to eyewitnesses, the southern area...near a military base is without electricity."

• President Trump (via Lucas Tomlinson, 00:33):
  "[The] operation was a successful operation launched from the United States military...to snatch Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife...calling it a law enforcement operation."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] Opening alert and summary of Maduro's capture
• [00:13] Operation details with Lucas Tomlinson
• [00:32] President Trump's Truth Social confirmation
• [00:57] Charges and U.S. trial announcement
• [01:19] Eyewitness reports from Caracas

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Other Major News

Foiled ISIS-Related Attack in North Carolina

• Arrest of Christian Sturtevant

  • 18-year-old U.S. citizen arrested in connection with a planned New Year's Eve grocery store attack (02:16).
  • He pledged support to ISIS online in interactions with undercover NYPD and FBI agents (02:29).
  • Had been on law enforcement radar since January 2022 (02:36).
  • Had previously received psychological care ordered by a judge, now faces up to 20 years if convicted (03:06).

• Notable Quotes

  • David Spunt (02:29):
    "He then talked with another person online who he thought was an ISIS member, but in fact it was an undercover FBI agent."

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Federal Contract Cancellations and Doge Update

• Federal agencies have reduced 55 contracts totaling $1.6 billion, resulting in $542 million in savings (03:17).
• Deals affected involve Somalia support and armored personnel carriers (03:24).
• Doge project continues, with prior involvement from Elon Musk noted (03:31).

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President Trump Blocks Technology Deal with China

• Trump issues executive order unraveling a $2.9 million computer chip deal, citing national security risks (03:47).
• HiFo Corporation barred from acquiring assets from Emcor Corporation; concern is over current ownership being linked to the People's Republic of China.

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Memorable Moments

• The intensity and success of the special forces raid on a foreign head of state, with highly detailed unit involvement (00:15).
• The rapid confirmation of the event and its framing as both a military and law enforcement action, signaling a strong U.S. posture.

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Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Breaking news: Maduro captured | | 00:13 | Operation details with Lucas Tomlinson | | 00:32 | Trump confirms the strike on Truth Social | | 00:57 | Rubio: Maduro to stand trial in the U.S. | | 01:19 | Explosions, eyewitness accounts in Caracas | | 02:16 | Christian Sturtevant arrest - New Year’s Eve ISIS plot foiled | | 03:17 | Federal contract updates and Doge project status | | 03:47 | Trump halts computer chip deal with China |

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Tone and Language

The FOX News tone is urgent, direct, and focused on impactful, concise information delivery, particularly with breaking news and national security stories.

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Conclusion

This episode of the Fox News Hourly Update provides a sweeping, impactful overview of significant U.S. actions on the global stage and at home, including the unprecedented capture of a sitting foreign leader and rapid consequences for U.S. security policy. The reporting is direct, dense with details about military and law enforcement involvement, and punctuated by notable quotes from involved officials.

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Transcript

[Paul Stevens]

This is a FOX News alert. I'm Paul Stevens. The leader of Venezuela has been captured in a US Military operation in West Palm beach with the president Fox's Lucas Tomlinson.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

A daring operation under the COVID of darkness at 2am local time in Caracas. Special operations forces, likely the full silver bullet package, the national mission force, that would be Delta Force, 75th Ranger Regiment and perhaps SEAL Team 6 were launched from helicopters of the 160th Special Op Operations Aviation Regiment, the Night Stalkers, to assault the compound where Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife were sleeping. President Trump confirming the operation in a post on Truth Social. The president said this operation was a successful operation launched from the United States military to assault the compound and to snatch Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The president calling it a law enforcement operation.

[Paul Stevens]

Secretary of State Marco Rubio telling Fox News that Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the U.S. maduro and his wife Celia Flores have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including narco terrorism conspiracy. Meantime, Chanley Painter has the latest on those strikes inside Venezuela.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Explosions have been heard in Caracas, Venezuela. According to eyewitnesses of the southern area of that city of Caracas near a military base is without electricity. Airplanes are also reportedly heard in the skies over the Venezuelan capital and columns of smoke can be seen in several areas. According to the Associated Press, at least seven explosions and low flying aircraft have also been heard.

[Paul Stevens]

The attack itself lasting less than 30 minutes. President Trump said in the Post that the strikes were carried out, quote, unquote, successfully. Utah Republican Senate member Mike Lee posting on X. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had briefed him on the strike. America is listening to FOX News.

[Ainsley Earhart]

This is Ainsley Earhart.

[Lucas Tomlinson]

Thank you for joining me for the.

[Ainsley Earhart]

52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus.

[Chris DiMaio]

A listening experience that will provide hope, comfort, understanding of the greatest story ever told. Listen and follow [e-mail] or wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Paul Stevens]

Federal authorities arresting 18 year old Christian Sturtevant, a U.S. citizen. This in connection with what would have been, they say a potential New Year's Eve attack in a North Carolina grocery store. Fox's David Spunt in D.C. according to.

[David Spunt]

The FBI, Sturtevant pledged his support to ISIS online with someone who he thought was an ISIS member. Turns out that was an undercover officer working with the New York Police Department. He then talked with another person online who he thought was an ISIS member, but in fact it was an undercover FBI agent. Authorities had him on the radar since January 2022, four years ago when he was on social media with an unidentified ISIS member overseas. But at that time no charges were filed. He received psychological care ordered by a state judge in North Carolina. Four years later, though, he's charged with attempting to provide materials to a foreign terrorist organization.

[Paul Stevens]

And Chr Christian Sturtevant allegedly planned to use butcher knives and hammers in the attack. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in jail. If you thought Doge was gone, think again.

[Chris DiMaio]

Doge says federal agencies have slashed or reduced 55 contracts over the last three days with a combined value of $1.6 billion, claiming $542 million in savings. In a post on X, the department listed deals with Somalia and referred to support armored personnel carriers and Somalia national army crews. Much of the framework of Doge remains active despite the high profile involvement of Elon Musk early on in President Trump's second term. Chris DiMaio, Fox News.

[Paul Stevens]

And President Trump orders the unraveling of a $2.9 million computer chip deal that he concluded threatens US security interests. The president issuing an executive order Friday blocking HiFo Corporation from acquiring semiconductor related assets from Emcor Corporation, now the current owner of HIF Corp. Is a citizen of the People's Republic of China. I'm Paul Stevens. This is FOX News.