JUST IN: Image Released Of Maduro Aboard U.S. Military Vessel Following Capture

President Donald Trump shared a new image of deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro after he was captured by U.S. special forces in a daring military operation on Saturday morning.

The image shows a blindfolded Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima, aboard which he and his wife, Celia Flores, are currently being transported to the United States. President Trump uploaded the image just moments before speaking at a press conference with senior cabinet officials from his winter White House at Mar-A-Lago.

Photo: Truth Social

The raid occurred around 2:00 a.m. local time (VET) at their residence within the heavily fortified Fuerte Tiuna military complex, which was described as a “fortress-like” structure similar to the Miraflores presidential palace. It was executed by the U.S. Army’s elite Delta Force unit, supported by FBI agents, and lasted

During Saturday’s press conference, President Trump explained that Maduro was asleep at the time of the raid. He was attempting to retreat to a secure room with reinforced steel doors, but was quickly captured by Delta Force operators before he could do so. U.S. forces were equipped with breaching equipment should he have been able to reach the room.

No U.S. service members were killed in the raid, though an unknown number suffered injuries. Exact details on injuries have not been disclosed as of this report, though Trump appeared confident that there were no fatalities.

The capture was preceded by a serious of missile, helicopter and airstrikes targeting a number of Venezuelan military installations throughout the capital of Caracas and surrounding states. Strikes disabled anti-air assets and quick reaction forces in order to protect the assault team and create a diversion.

Several U.S. military helicopters were seen flying over Caracas shortly after the opening salvo.

🚨#UPDATE: Reports of U.S. Army CH-47G Chinook Special Operations Helicopters have been spotted over the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. pic.twitter.com/uv2zfFBwk9

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 3, 2026

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed Maduro and Flores were missing via state television and demanded “proof of life” before the photo was uploaded. It is unknown if Rodriguez, who has longstanding ties with Cuban intelligence agencies, is currently in the country.

Maduro and Flores are currently being transported to the United States, where the deposed dictator will face charges on drug, weapons and narcoterrorism charges.

“Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolás Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States,” Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in an X post.

“They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” she added.

“On behalf of the entire U.S. Department of Justice, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American people and a huge thank you to our brave military forces who carried out the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international drug traffickers.”