How The U.S. Captured Venezuelan Leader Nicolas Maduro | TIME  time.com/7342941/venezuela-m…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jan 3, 2026

#Maduro Captured:  #CIA,  #Delta Force Operation  gemini.google.com/share/8cd1…

The events unfolding today, **January 3, 2026**, indeed involve heavy intelligence coordination, though official reports focus primarily on the role of U.S. agencies.

According to reports from the **Associated Press**, **Reuters**, and **The Jerusalem Post**, the operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, was the culmination of months of planning involving a “core team” of U.S. officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

### Role of Intelligence Agencies

While many observers are drawing parallels to historic joint operations, here is what has been confirmed so far regarding the agencies involved:

* **The CIA’s “Seamless” Role:** A CIA official briefed reporters stating that a small team has been operating covertly on the ground in Venezuela since **August 2025**. They provided “extraordinary insights” into Maduro’s life patterns, which reportedly made the Delta Force raid possible.
* **Operational Execution:** The actual capture at the **Fort Tiuna military installation** was carried out by **U.S. Army Delta Force** soldiers and **FBI agents**, supported by over 150 aircraft and a series of strikes on Venezuelan military infrastructure.
* **The “Mossad” Connection:** While there has been no official confirmation of **Mossad** involvement in the tactical execution of “Operation Absolute Resolve,” the speculation likely stems from the high level of technical precision—such as the use of an exact replica of Maduro’s safe house for rehearsals—and the rapid, “lightning” nature of the extraction, which mirrors famous historical operations in the region.

### Current Status of Maduro

As of this afternoon, Maduro is reported to be aboard the **USS Iwo Jima** in the Caribbean Sea, being transported to New York. He and his wife face federal indictments in the Southern District of New York for **narco-terrorism** and **drug trafficking conspiracy**.

The Trump administration has stated that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela temporarily to stabilize the oil infrastructure, a move that is currently drawing significant criticism from leaders in Brazil, Colombia, and the U.S. Congress.

**Would you like more details on the specific charges Maduro is facing in New York, or the international reaction to the takeover?**

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jan 3, 2026

Maduro Captured: CIA, Delta Force Operation  gemini.google.com/share/8cd1…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jan 3, 2026

BREAKING: President  #Trump revealed a  #US team will temporarily run  #Venezuela post  #Maduro capture, aiming for a safe transition and oil flow restart. From Mar a Lago with Rubio and Hegseth, he kept team details secret.
@AJEnglish
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— I_Paul_Ethan (@I_Paul_Ethan) Jan 3, 2026

It should be Netanyahu in this picture, not Maduro.

— ShaykhSulaiman (@ShaykhSulaiman) Jan 3, 2026

BREAKING!!  Maduro’s vice-president flees to russia after U.S. special forces capture Venezuelan dictator

Delcy Rodríguez seeks Putin’s protection following military raid on Caracas, as Moscow denies presence of ‘rightful successor’ despite reports of secret flight

— ralakbar (@ralakbar) Jan 3, 2026

share.google/aimode/MGEmNyQ0…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Jan 3, 2026

JUST IN: President Trump says the U.S. will be “very strongly involved” in Venezuelan oil  trib.al/RBfQXhY

— thehill (@thehill) Jan 3, 2026