'Israel commends' US op in Venezuela, says FM Sa'ar, and 'welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror'

The United States today (Saturday) filed an indictment against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced. According to her, Maduro is charged with “narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices [to be used] against the United States.”

Earlier, the United States detained the president and flew him, together with his wife, out of the country. According to reports, the operation was carried out by American forces during today’s attack by the U.S. military on Venezuela’s capital. In recent hours, the U.S. administration also released the first image of Maduro held captive by American forces.

U.S. President Donald Trump was interviewed by Fox News and said there were no fatalities among U.S. forces operating in Venezuela, though there were several wounded. The president said Maduro was at his home, which Trump described as a “fortress,” and did not manage to reach the secure room before he was captured. Trump added that the United States intends to be “very involved in Venezuela’s oil industry.”

Regarding China’s opposition to the operation, Trump clarified, “I have excellent relations with President Xi; he won’t have a problem. He will get oil.” The American president said the possibility is being examined that opposition leader and recent Nobel Prize laureate María Corina Machado could assume leadership in Venezuela.

🔴 Venezolanos que residen en Chile han salido a las calles de Santiago para manifestarse a raíz de la captura de Nicolás Maduro por parte de Estados Unidos. pic.twitter.com/oT2KmkgYCH

— Meganoticias (@meganoticiascl) January 3, 2026

Machado herself responded to Maduro’s capture and called for Edmundo González Urrutia to be declared the legitimate president of Venezuela. She addressed the country’s citizens: “Be ready to begin implementing what we will soon convey to you through our official channels.” The Nobel laureate also addressed Venezuelans living abroad: “We need you mobilized—working with governments and citizens of the world and committed from now on to the great mission of building the new Venezuela.”

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the American strike and said that “Maduro is the latest person to realize that the president means what he says.” In a post on his 𝕏 account, Vance wrote that Trump “offered several off-ramps, but was very clear throughout the process: drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar commented on the events in Venezuela, saying that “Israel commends the United States’ operation, led by President Trump, which acted as the leader of the free world.” In a post on his 𝕏 account, Sa’ar wrote, “Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror, and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and for friendly relations between the states.”

Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s deputy and the person expected to fill his role during his incapacity, called on President Trump to provide proof that Maduro is alive: “People are taking to the streets.” Reuters reported that Rodríguez is currently in Russia, while her brother Jorge—who serves as head of the National Assembly—is in the capital Caracas, but has not appeared publicly since the American operation.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern “in light of the developments in Venezuela,” calling for de-escalation and dialogue “to address the disputed issues.” Qatar urged adherence to UN conventions and principles of international law, and said it is ready to assist fully “in any international effort to find an immediate, non-violent solution.”

R., a resident of Caracas, described the events and the mood in Venezuela in an interview with Kan News on the program “Sharon and Uri.” She said that during the attack she and her family were asleep and awoke to loud explosions. “The Christian New Year passed recently; at first we thought it was fireworks. We saw on the news and social media that people were filming things happening at bases, and then we knew something real was happening.”

R. said residents receive details about the events through the news and social media. “We know exactly what you know outside Venezuela; we have no more information than what Trump said on the news,” she said. According to her, citizens are now waiting to see what will happen and want elections: “We want to live under the rule of law and democracy, and that is what is happening now.”

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela and emphasized its support for the Venezuelan people and for a “non-violent and democratic” transition. In a tweet, von der Leyen wrote, “Any solution must respect international law and the UN Charter,” adding that steps are being taken to ensure EU citizens in the country receive “full support.”

CBS reported that the special unit “Delta Force” arrested the president. ABC reported that the unit captured him after the CIA identified his precise location. One source claimed President Trump gave the green light to the operation several days ago and that soldiers were ready to strike as early as Christmas Day—but it was postponed due to strikes in Nigeria.

In an interview with The New York Times, Trump himself celebrated the operation: “A lot of good planning and a lot of great soldiers and great people. It was a brilliant operation, truly.”

Sources in Venezuela’s opposition claimed that the operation to seize Maduro and his wife was the result of negotiations between Maduro and the United States, hinting that Maduro agreed as part of it to leave the country.

By contrast, Republican Senator Mike Lee said he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told him that “Maduro was arrested by U.S. military personnel and will stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on 𝕏, “A new era for Venezuela—the dictator is out. He will answer for his crimes.”

Several weeks ago, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed in an interview with Newsmax that the U.S. administration asked him to take Maduro into his country. “If he wants to come to Belarus, the door is open,” he said, adding that he had not spoken with him about the idea. Maduro also met with China’s special envoy for Latin America, Qiu Xiaoqi, about 12 hours before the attack.

The United States attacked overnight in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. Residents reported helicopters and aircraft over the city and widespread power outages. Venezuela’s government declared a state of emergency and called on citizens to mobilize to “defeat this imperialist aggression.”

The strikes began around 2:00 a.m. local time. Explosions were also seen at a Venezuelan port and over Margarita Island, the largest of Venezuela’s islands. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro published a list of targets he said were hit, including military and civilian airports, the parliament in Caracas, and the historic city center of the capital. According to some reports, the mausoleum where the remains of former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez are buried was also attacked.