Overview
- U.S. authorities said a large-scale military operation on January 3 led to Nicolás Maduro’s capture in Venezuela.
- Officials presented the action as targeting narcotrafficking and organized crime, echoing a longstanding justification in the region.
- The date mirrors January 3, 1990, when Manuel Noriega surrendered after the U.S. intervention in Panama, a comparison widely noted by analysts.
- Historical reporting on the Panama operation describes heavy bombardment in populated areas and significant civilian harm, renewing debate over intervention costs.
- In public remarks, President Donald Trump said Maduro would face trial in New York on narcoterrorism charges and stated the U.S. would oversee a transition in Venezuela.