Nicolás Maduro Captured by U.S. Forces Hours After Meeting Chinese Envoy in Caracas
CARACAS, Venezuela — In a dramatic escalation of U.S. involvement in Latin America, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by American forces and flown out of the country on January 3, 2026, just hours after a high-profile meeting with a Chinese envoy. Maduro’s encounter with Qiu Xiaoqi, China’s special representative for Latin American affairs, underscored the intensifying geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing in the Western Hemisphere.
Maduro received Qiu at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on Friday, where the two leaders reaffirmed Caracas’ strategic partnership with Beijing. Maduro emphasized the goal of constructing a “multipolar world of development and peace,” signaling continued alignment with China’s expanding influence in the region. China has invested billions through its Belt and Road Initiative, becoming Venezuela’s largest crude oil importer and a key economic partner.
Later that evening, former President Donald Trump met with U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, preceding the announcement that U.S. forces had launched coordinated strikes across Venezuela. The operation culminated in the seizure of Maduro and his wife, who were swiftly removed from Venezuelan territory. Trump described the mission as the result of months of intelligence linking Maduro to drug trafficking networks targeting the United States.
On the morning following the raid, Trump told Fox News, “I have a very good relationship with Xi, and there’s not going to be a problem. They’re going to get oil.” The administration’s move marks the most direct military action against a sitting Latin American head of state since the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.
China’s Foreign Ministry swiftly condemned the operation, describing it as a “blatant use of force against a sovereign state” and accusing the U.S. of violating international law and threatening regional peace. “China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and its action against its president,” the ministry stated, adding that such “hegemonic behavior” undermines stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Trump administration has openly rejected Beijing’s growing foothold in the Americas, reiterating a commitment to the Monroe Doctrine, a policy historically aimed at preventing foreign powers from establishing strategic influence in the Western Hemisphere. Venezuela has been a focal point of this geopolitical competition, with U.S. officials accusing Maduro’s regime of corruption, drug trafficking, and illegitimate governance.
Senior U.S. military officials revealed that the operation involved over 150 aircraft and was executed with precision over a three-hour period. The mission targeted Maduro’s inner circle and family members, signaling a broad crackdown on what the administration calls a “narco-state.” The Department of Defense praised the operation as “nearly flawless,” while the State Department reaffirmed ongoing sanctions and vowed to oversee a “safe, proper and judicious transition” in Venezuela.
International reactions have been mixed. Some world leaders expressed concern over the legality and potential repercussions of the U.S. action. A Democratic lawmaker warned that “nothing good comes out of this,” highlighting the risks of destabilizing the region further. Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition figures and some conservative U.S. commentators hailed the capture as a pivotal moment in the fight against authoritarianism and drug trafficking.
As the dust settles, Venezuela’s future remains uncertain. The country’s vast oil reserves, a key resource in global energy markets, are now at the center of a complex power struggle involving the U.S., China, and regional actors. The Trump administration has maintained an oil embargo on Venezuela but indicated a willingness to negotiate terms as part of the transition process.
The unfolding events in Caracas serve as a stark reminder of the enduring geopolitical contest between the United States and China, with Latin America emerging as a critical arena. For now, Nicolás Maduro’s capture marks a significant turning point, the full implications of which will reverberate far beyond Venezuela’s borders.
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