1. US military action in Venezuela

1.1 The United States carried out military strikes in Caracas early on Saturday, January 3
1.2 Explosions were reported in the Venezuelan capital, with smoke seen rising from a military base

2. Capture of the Venezuelan President

2.1 The United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an extraordinary military operation
2.2 Maduro was seized overnight from his home on a military base
2.3 He was flown out of Venezuela and taken toward New York
2.4 Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, was also captured during the operation

3. Charges against Maduro and his wife

3.1 Maduro and Cilia Flores are to face criminal charges in the United States
3.2 The charges relate to a narco-terrorism conspiracy
3.3 Venezuelan officials had earlier been indicted in 2020 on similar charges
3.4 A fresh indictment released by the US Justice Department described the regime as corrupt and illegitimate, alleging links to drug trafficking operations flooding the US with cocaine

4. Trump’s justification and plan for Venezuela

4.1 US President Donald Trump said the US would run Venezuela at least temporarily
4.2 He stated that this would continue until a safe, proper, and judicious transition of power takes place
4.3 Trump said the operation was “extremely successful” and should serve as a warning to those threatening American sovereignty or lives
4.4 He also said the US would tap Venezuela’s oil reserves

5. Venezuelan response and internal situation

5.1 Maduro’s government described the US action as an imperialist attack
5.2 Citizens were urged by the government to take to the streets
5.3 Venezuelan state television continued broadcasting pro-Maduro messaging, including images of supporters protesting in Caracas
5.4 Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández said Maduro and Flores were captured at their home within the Ft. Tiuna military installation

6. Leadership uncertainty in Venezuela

6.1 Under Venezuelan law, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would take over from Maduro
6.2 There was no independent confirmation of Maduro’s condition immediately after the strike
6.3 Rodríguez later issued a statement demanding proof of life for Maduro and his wife