In a dramatic escalation that has sent shockwaves across the globe, United States military forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a direct strike on the South American nation. The unprecedented action, which occurred over the weekend of January 3-4, 2026, has triggered a fierce response from Venezuela's armed forces and a wave of international concern.
Venezuelan Military Denounces "Cowardly Kidnapping"
Venezuela's Bolivarian National Armed Forces issued a powerful condemnation on Sunday, January 4, 2026, labeling the seizure of President Maduro as a "cowardly kidnapping." In a nationally televised address, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez delivered a scathing statement, accusing US troops of murdering "in cold blood" a significant number of the president's security team, soldiers, and innocent civilians during the early Saturday operation.
The military's declaration expressed full support for the state of external emergency declared by the Venezuelan government in the wake of the US attacks on multiple locations inside the country. "Our institution will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defense, the maintenance of internal order, and the preservation of peace," the armed forces' statement affirmed.
Nation on Full Alert as Global Protests Begin
In response to the crisis, Defense Minister Padrino announced the activation of the Full Operational Readiness Plan across the entire national territory. This move aims to coordinate civilian, military, and police forces into a unified front. The military stated this integration is for the "mission to confront imperial aggression," forming a single combat force to protect the nation's freedom, independence, and sovereignty.
The international community reacted swiftly. In Madrid, Spain, demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy on January 4 to protest the military intervention, highlighting the global diplomatic fallout from the event. The capture of Maduro and his wife during the raids in Caracas and other regions has become a flashpoint for worldwide debate on sovereignty and international law.
A Defining Moment in International Relations
This event marks one of the most direct confrontations in recent history between the US and a sovereign state in the Americas. The details provided by the Venezuelan government paint a picture of a large-scale military operation resulting in significant casualties. As Venezuela mobilizes its national power under a state of emergency, the world watches closely. The coming days will be critical in determining the regional and global consequences of this bold and controversial action, with stability in Latin America hanging in the balance.
