U.S. Special Forces Capture Nicolás Maduro in Caracas Raid
Operation Absolute Resolve Targets Venezuelan Leader Amid Allegations of Election Interference

Rick B2T
Jan 5, 2026
In a dramatic early-morning raid on January 3, 2026, U.S. Special Forces apprehended Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores at Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas.
President Donald Trump confirmed their extradition to New York, where Maduro faces charges of narco-terrorism amid long-standing accusations of leading the "Cartel de los Soles."
While the official reason centers on drug crimes, experts believe U.S. forces also aimed to disrupt alleged global election interference networks, particularly those linked to Venezuelan company Smartmatic.
Smartmatic’s voting technology, tied to Dominion Voting Systems, has faced scrutiny after claims of vote manipulation during the 2020 U.S. election.
The operation sharply impacted Maduro’s network, cutting off vital resources and exposing vulnerabilities in worldwide electronic voting.
International reactions split, with condemnation from Russia and China but applause from democracy advocates.
Maduro’s arrest signals a turning point in efforts to secure global elections and restore public trust.





