US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will be “strongly involved” in the Venezuelan oil industry moving forward. This declaration follows the successful capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a military operation in Caracas early Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Okay News learnt that the President shared these details during an interview with reporters, revealing that he had spoken directly with Maduro just one week prior.
According to Trump, he issued a final warning for the Venezuelan leader to surrender peacefully. Maduro’s refusal reportedly left the US with “no choice” but to launch a “much more surgical, much more powerful” operation.
Delta Force Raid and Maduro’s Fate
The capture was executed by members of the US Army’s elite Delta Force, the same unit responsible for the 2019 mission against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Maduro and his wife were reportedly taken into custody at their residence within the Fort Tiuna military complex and have already been flown out of Venezuela.
Current reports indicate they are being transported to New York to face federal indictments for narco-terrorism conspiracy, money laundering, and weapons charges. US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the purpose of the strike was specifically to execute outstanding arrest warrants.
The “New Dawn” for Venezuelan Oil
President Trump’s focus on the oil industry signals a potential total overhaul of Venezuela’s energy sector, which holds the world’s largest proven crude reserves. For years, the US has used a combination of sanctions and naval blockades to cripple Maduro’s ability to trade oil, accusing the regime of using the revenue to fund “drug terrorism.”
With Maduro abducted, US officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, have hailed the event as a “new dawn” for the country. Trump has hinted at replenishing U.S. strategic reserves with seized Venezuelan crude and partnering with American oil firms to restore the country’s crumbling infrastructure.
Casualties and Regional Unrest
Addressing the human cost of the mission, President Trump stated that while the strikes on Caracas were large-scale, they resulted in “a few injuries but no deaths” on the U.S. side. He mentioned that a few soldiers were “hit” but are expected to make a full recovery.
In contrast, the Venezuelan government—now led in a state of emergency by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez—has reported military and civilian casualties, though an official count has not been released. Minister of Defense Vladimir Padrino López has called for an “indestructible wall of resistance” against the foreign intervention, as grassroots militias mobilize in the streets of Caracas.
