The U.S. strikes Venezuela, captures President Maduro

Summary

Podcast Summary: Up First from NPR

Episode: The U.S. strikes Venezuela, captures President Maduro

Date: January 3, 2026
Hosts: Daniel Estrin, Ayesha Rascoe
Reporters & Guests: Kerry Kahn (South America Correspondent), Franco Ordoñez (White House Correspondent), Greg Myre (National Security Correspondent)

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Overview

This urgent episode covers the dramatic overnight U.S. military operation in Venezuela, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife—a move President Trump touts as a fulfillment of his long-standing promise to oust Maduro. The episode examines how the strike unfolded, the global reaction, legal and political ramifications, and what might come next for both Venezuela and U.S. foreign policy.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Summary of Events (00:02–00:43, 02:05–04:20)

• Large-Scale U.S. Military Actions:
  The United States launched airstrikes in and around Caracas, targeting military and, reportedly, civilian areas. This followed months of U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean.
• Capture of Maduro:
  President Trump announced that Nicolás Maduro and his wife are in U.S. custody, flown out of Venezuela. The Vice President of Venezuela, Delsey Rodriguez, has been demanding proof of their wellbeing on state TV.
  • Quote (C, 02:31):
    "She's demanding that the U.S. present proof of life that Maduro is still alive. And she's asked the same for his wife."
• Venezuelan Response & Atmosphere:
  Residents of Caracas described overnight explosions and continued military air activity, fueling fear and confusion.
  • Quote (Vanessa Silva via Kerry Kahn, 03:36):
    "I just wake up with this strong noise, super strong noise. I see the explosion. ... The house wasn't shaking, but I was."

2. Targets and Impact (04:20–04:56)

• Targeted Sites:
  Besides La Carlota military airport, government statements reported attacks in three other states, although details are vague.
• Accusations of Civilian Impact:
  Venezuela's defense minister accused U.S. helicopters of firing on civilian neighborhoods, however, provided no concrete evidence.

3. Regional and Global Reaction (05:02–05:47)

• Condemnation and Praise:
  • Cuba’s president called the U.S. strike “criminal.”
  • Colombia beefed up its border and called for a U.N. Security Council meeting anticipating refugees.
  • Argentinian President Javier Milei celebrated the capture, posting "liberty advances."
• Opposition Silence:
  Notably absent was any statement from Maria Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

4. Implications for Venezuela (05:47–06:48, 14:08–15:04)

• Power Vacuum and Future Leadership:
  Vice President Delsey Rodriguez has assumed temporary leadership, but there is high uncertainty about military and government stability.
  • Quote (Kerry Kahn, 05:54):
    "We really want to see what's going to happen with the structure and the military structures, particularly in Venezuela."
• Threat of Continued Instability:
  The regime was deeply entrenched, with military and international backers (notably Cuba, China, and Russia).

5. U.S. Legal and Political Maneuvering (06:48–09:53)

• Indictment and Charges:
  Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Maduro and his wife are to be tried in New York for narco-terrorism and other crimes, with indictments dating back to 2020 and a $50 million reward having been posted last year.
• Historical Parallel:
  The operation evokes the 1989 U.S. capture of Manuel Noriega in Panama, but with even more dramatic international legal and diplomatic risks.
• No Formal Authorization:
  The strike was not preceded by a formal declaration of war or congressional approval.
  • Quote (Greg Myre, 13:21):
    "It's worth noting this has not been done with any declaration of war, congressional authorization of force."
• White House Response:
  President Trump called the operation “brilliant." The administration promises more details in a forthcoming press briefing.

6. Domestic and Political Fallout in the U.S. (10:14–11:29)

• Republican Party and Supporter Division:
  Some see this as a Trump victory; others worry about the precedent and potential for overreach, especially given his “America First” platform.
  • Quote (Franco Ordoñez, 10:39):
    "Trump came to power with an America first agenda… his international focus has really alienated some of his supporters. So I expect we're going to be hearing a lot from Trump supporters and there’s going to be a new debate among them as well as the Republican Party."

7. Military and Security Uncertainties (15:04–15:40)

• Scale of Operation:
  The U.S. has massed up to 15,000 troops and multiple naval assets in the region, but it is unclear if further military action is planned.
• Waiting for Next Steps:
  Uncertainty looms about both U.S. and Venezuelan moves, especially in this leaderless period.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Eyewitness testimony in Caracas (Vanessa Silva via Kerry Kahn, 03:36)
  "I just wake up with this strong noise, super strong noise. I see the explosion. ... The house wasn't shaking, but I was."

• Venezuela's government demands proof of life (Kerry Kahn, 02:31)
  "She's demanding that the U.S. present proof of life that Maduro is still alive."

• Historical context of leader capture (Franco Ordoñez, 07:16)
  "For U.S. special forces to go into another country's capital and capture the sitting leader... that's really quite staggering."

• No formal war authorization (Greg Myre, 13:21)
  "It's worth noting this has not been done with any declaration of war, congressional authorization of force."

• Political division in the U.S. (Franco Ordoñez, 10:39)
  "So I expect we're going to be hearing a lot from Trump supporters and there’s going to be a new debate among them as well as the Republican Party."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02–00:43: Headlines and framing of the Maduro capture
• 02:05–04:20: Eyewitness accounts from Caracas and initial reporting on targets
• 05:02–05:47: Regional and international reaction
• 06:48–09:53: U.S. legal, political, and operational details
• 14:08–15:40: Unclear future for Venezuela’s leadership and military situation

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Conclusion

This edition of Up First offers immediate and comprehensive coverage of a historic and controversial U.S. action—removing Venezuela's president through direct military intervention. The consequences for Venezuela, the broader region, and American politics are far from settled. The coming days promise continued uncertainty as the world watches how the power vacuum in Venezuela unfolds and how the U.S. administration manages this bold maneuver.

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For continued updates, the hosts suggest listeners stay tuned to Up First and forthcoming press briefings.

Transcript

[A]

The United States has struck Venezuela and President Trump says captured its leader.

[B]

Trump says President Nicolas Maduro has been flown out of the country.

[A]

Our reporters will have the latest on this extraordinary development. I'm Daniel Estrin.

[B]

I'm Ayesha Rascoe. And this is up first from NPR News.

[A]

After a months long campaign to oust the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, President President Trump says he's come through with his threats.

[B]

The White House called the strikes on the Capitol Caracas large scale.

[A]

The US Military has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean over the last few months. But what does it mean to capture a world leader and when has it happened before?

[B]

We'll also hear what Venezuelans on the ground have to say. Stay with us. We have the news you need to start your weekend.

[A]

What's in store for the music, TV and film industries for 2026? We don't know, but we're making some fun, bold predictions for the new year, plus setting some personal pop culture resolutions.

[C]

Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour in.

[A]

The NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. As we say goodbye to 2025, our reporters are looking back at some of the most memorable international stories they covered in the last year. From a city in Africa emerging from war to resilient Indian turtles, liberated refugees to defiant Austrian nuns, global favorites from the last year. Listen to State of the World on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Fall in love with new music every Friday at All songs considered. That's NPR's music recommendation. Podcast Fridays are where we spend our whole show sharing all the greatest new releases of the week. Make the hunt for new music a part of your life again. Tap into new music Friday from All Songs Considered, available wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

The US has bombed Caracas and other areas of Venezuela, and President Trump says the country's leader has been captured.

[A]

It comes after months of escalating U.S. pressure sending troops and warships to the Caribbean. NPR's South America correspondent Kerry Kahn joins us now from Rio de Janeiro. Good morning, Kerry.

[C]

Good morning.

[A]

So President Trump said in a social media post that Maduro and his wife are in U.S. custody.

[C]

What else do we know inside Venezuela? We've heard that confirmed by the vice president, Delsey Rodriguez. She's been on state TV via phone all morning. Here's some of that indignation from her that you were talking about earlier. She's been just saying this nonstop since the operation took effect. Exegimos Algovierno del Presidente Donald Trump. She's demanding that the US Present proof of life that Maduro is still alive. And she's asked the same for his wife. She's also said that she is executing Maduro's defense plans for the nation that she says were practiced and ready to go. Maduro has long faced US Federal charges for narco terrorism. The US Says he's involved in drug trafficking and conspiracy with the cartel de Los Soles, while the International Criminal Court is investigating him also for crimes against humanity, including torture and extrajudicial killings.

[A]

Kerry, can we just start from early this morning around 2:00am local time? What happened there?

[C]

Sure. Reports started flooding social media with videos of multiple explosions throughout the city. And I spoke right away with a reporter, Vanessa Silva, and she actually lives right in front of the military airport, La Carlota in Caracas. And let me just play you her first immediate reactions. I just wake up with this strong noise, super strong noise. I see the explosion. It was in the middle of the Runway. She says relatives throughout the city were also reporting explosions. And Caracas is in a valley. And so she said you could hear explosions echoing throughout there. And she said she was just terrified. The house wasn't shaking, but I was. And then I hear, like airplanes. She says there were several fires on the Runway, but they were put out quickly. But she could hear airplanes continuing to circle around the Caracas skies for hours.

[A]

Well, it's incredible to hear that eyewitness account from someone who lives right near the airport. What do we know about the targets.

[C]

That were hit beside the La Carlota military airport in the complex? A government statement was put out listing attacks in three other states, but it didn't go into details. And the defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, put out a defiant video statement this morning describing the operation. Here's a bit of that. He describes US Helicopters firing missiles on what he says were not only military targets but also civilian neighborhoods. But he did not provide any evidence from that.

[A]

And so tell us more about what reaction has been around the region, in Latin America and around the world.

[C]

It's been swift. Cuba's president, Miguel Diaz Canal, condemned the US Strike. He called it criminal. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro says his forces are being deployed to the border with Venezuela and he's preparing for a potential influx of refugees from there. He's called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. Trump allies in the region are praising the action. We heard from President Javier Milei of Argentina, who celebrated the capture of Nicolas Maduro. He says liberty advances. He wrote that on social media. And curiously, though, we have not heard from the leading opposition figure, Maria Corina Machado. Remember, she just won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in Venezuela. She left Venezuela last month and we're not sure where she is right now and we're waiting to hear from her.

[A]

Kerry, briefly, what are you going to be looking for as the hours unfold and the days unfold ahead?

[C]

Well, it's curious because we really want to see what's going to happen, who's going to step up in place. The vice president, like I said, has been on state TV saying that there are plans in place and she will execute those plans, as Maduro has said. But we really want to see what's going to happen with the structure and the military structures, particularly in Venezuela. You know, it's not just Maduro who's the figurehead and the power in Venezuela. His military backed regime relies on a network of officials accused of corruption and drug trafficking. And the defense minister who's been out in front of a lot of this, Vladimir Padrino, he's top of that list. And Venezuela also has vast support from Cuba, China and Russia. So we're going to watch all of.

[A]

That and we will be coming back to you frequently. Thank you so much, NPR's Carrie Khan.

[C]

You're welcome.

[B]

The US has long accused Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro of being the leader of a violent drug cartel. And President Trump has made it a priority to oust him since he came back to office.

[A]

Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the Venezuelan leader and his wife have been indicted in the Southern district of New York. NPR White House correspondent Franco Ordonez joins us now. Good morning, Franco.

[D]

Good to be here, Daniel.

[A]

Just bring us up to speed from your beat at the White House.

[D]

Yeah, I mean, I think what we've heard so far, especially from Kerry, I mean, this really just follows such a major buildup in U.S. military power in the region. As we've been reporting, the US has been building up, including an aircraft carrier, other warships, thousands of troops. This buildup was first focused on alleged drug boats, but more recently the US Actually seized an oil tanker and then there was a land strike on a port in Venezuela. So the US Was already taken quite unprecedented action. But this is quite a new development. I mean, for U.S. special forces to go into another country's capital and capture the sitting leader, take him out and bring him to the United States, that's really quite staggering. Of course, as we just heard, the Venezuelan government is denouncing the strikes and it's just bringing back such memories of the capture of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega by the George H.W. bush administration more than 30 years ago.

[A]

So what are we hearing so far this morning from the White House?

[D]

Well, the President said the military operation was carried out in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement and that more details would be shared with later at his 11am news conference, which he'll have at his Mar a Lago resort, his home. The White House has not responded to queries about where Maduro and his wife are being flown to. But Trump did call the strikes a brilliant operation. In a brief interview with the New York Times, Senator Mike Lee actually said he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told him that Maduro would stand trial on criminal charges in the US and that the, quote, kinetic action that we saw tonight was deployed to actually protect those ex executing the arrest warrant. Lee also said that Rubio told him, and he posted this on social media, that he did not anticipate further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US Custody.

[A]

What exactly are the US Allegations against Maduro?

[D]

Well, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Maduro and his wife have been indicted in the Southern District of New York on a variety of charges, including narco terrorism. And he was actually Maduro, that is was indicted first six years ago, accused of narco terrorism and weapons trafficking. And last summer, the Trump administration doubled the reward for information leading to Maduro's capture to $50 million.

[A]

Okay. Maduro is known as a brutal dictator. He was alleged to have stolen the last election. Seems like a moment for many to celebrate. There is still a lot of concern as well, though.

[D]

Yeah, for sure. I mean, for many people in Venezuela, this is going to be a moment to celebrate, but there is also a lot of uncertainty. I was speaking with Mark Fierstein, who advise multiple administrations on Latin America. He said Trump can claim victory for capturing someone indicted long ago. The question though is how much further is he willing to go?

[A]

There's a reason for caution because there could be disappointment if the regime stays in power. And what are we hearing from authorities in Caracas?

[D]

Yeah, I mean, as we just heard from Kerry, the Venezuelan Vice President, Delsey Rodriguez told state TV that she didn't know where Maduro was and was calling for a proof of life. There's a state of emergency as well that's been called.

[A]

What steps is the United States outlining now?

[D]

Yeah, I mean, I'm going to be watching the President's press conference later today to see what he has to say. Of course. What steps is the US Going to take to make sure the Venezuelan infrastructure doesn't crumble. I mean, it is really a delicate moment where we just don't know how things are going to turn out. I mean, in addition to where this leaves Venezuela, Daniel, there's also this big question about how Trump's own supporters are going to feel about this overseas act, such an aggressive act. I mean, Trump came to power with an America first agenda. And so far this term, his international focus has really alienated some of his supporters. So I expect we're going to be hearing a lot from Trump supporters and there's going to be a new debate among them as well as a Republican Party as well as Congress is coming back. So there's going to be a lot of questions about that as well.

[A]

Okay. We'll leave it there. That's White House correspondent Franco Ordonez. Thank you, Franco.

[D]

Thank you, Daniel.

[B]

President Trump says Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro has been taken outside of Caracas.

[A]

Maduro is expected to be brought to the US where he will be facing charges of drug smuggling and other crimes. For more, we are joined by NPR national security correspondent Greg Myhre. Good morning, Greg.

[E]

Hi, Daniel.

[A]

Gosh, this happened in just a few hours, but after months of U.S. military buildup, Phyllis in on the latest.

[E]

So the U.S. launched this operation in the middle of the night. Explosions rang out in the capital, Caracas. Helicopters were crisscrossing the sky. Photos from a military base on the capital or the edge of the Capitol showed smoke rising from a hangar. Residents in that part of the city said they heard many loud explosions early in the morning, according to the Venezuela government. The US Military also struck in other parts of northern Venezuela near the Caribbean coast. And then a couple hours later, President Trump took to Truth Social and he wrote, quote, the United States has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. Now, a U.S. official who's not authorized to speak publicly told NPR that the operation was considered successful and there were no U.S. military casualties. The president hasn't provided additional details, but as you noted, Daniel, he is planning a press conference or at least make additional remarks later this morning.

[A]

Do we know where Maduro is right now?

[E]

Well, not exactly. We know he's being flown to the US but not exactly where. Attorney Jim General Pam Bondi said he'll face charges in New York. He was indicted on drug charges back in 2020. Utah's Republican Senator Mike Lee wrote on on X that he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and was informed that Maduro will stand trial on criminal charges in the U.S. now, it's worth noting this has not been done with any declaration of war, congressional authorization of force. And Venezuela's vice president, Delsey Rodriguez has been on TV demanding evidence of Maduro's well being, and she said there have been casualties in Venezuela.

[A]

Greg, with Maduro gone, who is running Venezuela?

[E]

Well, it appears to be the vice president we just mentioned, Delsey Rodriguez, who would become an interim president, assuming the US Will allow her to remain in office. Now, the country's defense minister says the country is under attack and has urged troops to defend the country. But at this point, the US Operation appears to be over, at least for now. But there's still the question about what will many of the Maduro loyalists do? Will they try to stay and defend the country and the government? Will they flee? What will Venezuela's military do? We don't know. And we should also mention Maria Corita Machado. She's the Venezuelan woman who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize and has been an opposition leader. She left the country, so her exact whereabouts are not known and it's not clear what role she might play.

[A]

Are we expecting the US Military to play a further role?

[E]

Well, at this point, we don't know for sure, but the immediate action appears to be over. Of course, the US still has this large force that was being built up for months, basically since around August. We're talking about a dozen or more ships, including the USS Gerald, for the world's largest aircraft carrier, perhaps 15,000 troops in the region. So we'll be looking to see if the US Continues with any action against drug smuggling boats, against oil tankers, or if in fact this operation may be over.

[A]

NPR's Greg Myhre. Thank you, Greg.

[E]

Sure thing, Daniel.

[A]

And that's up first for Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. I'm Daniel Estrin.

[B]

And I'm Ayesha Rascoe. Elaina Torick produced today's podcast along with Nia Dumas, Fernando Naro, Dave Misdic and Chad Campbell. It was edited by Hadil Al Shouchi, Tara Neal, Dee Parvaz and Andrew Sussman. Danny Hensel is the director.

[A]

Our technical director was David Greenberg with engineering support from Zoe Vangenhoven, Jay Siz, and Simon Laszlo Jansen.

[B]

Our senior supervising editor is Shannon Rhodes. Evie Stone is our executive producer, and Jim Cain is our deputy managing editor. Tomorrow on the Sunday story, worried about political unrest, liberals in the US Are starting to buy guns. We'll dive into the changing face of gun ownership.

[A]

For all the breaking news, like we had today and many other stories that open your mind. Tune in to NPR. Find your local station at stations.NPR.org.

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