ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Jan. 4, 2026

Key Concepts

Nicolas Maduro: Ousted President of Venezuela, captured by U.S. forces.
Cilia Flores: Wife of Nicolas Maduro, also captured and indicted.
Narco-terrorism Charges: Primary charges against Maduro and Flores, alleging a conspiracy to traffic cocaine into the U.S.
Operation Absolute Resolve: Code name for the U.S. military and law enforcement operation to capture Maduro.
Delta Force: Elite U.S. Army special operations unit involved in the extraction.
CIA Covert Team: Ground team tracking Maduro's movements prior to the operation.
Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Brooklyn: Notorious federal jail where Maduro and Flores are being held.
Delcy Rodriguez: Venezuela's Vice President, sworn in as acting president after Maduro's capture, and threatened by President Trump.
Venezuelan Oil Reserves: The largest in the world, a key focus of U.S. interests.
Oil Blockades/Quarantine: Proposed U.S. strategy to pressure Venezuela's government by restricting oil exports.
Regime Change: Criticism leveled against the U.S. operation by some lawmakers.
FAA Flight Ban: Temporary restriction on U.S. airlines flying over Venezuelan airspace and parts of the Caribbean due to military activity.
USS Iwo Jima: U.S. Navy ship where an image of a handcuffed and blindfolded Maduro was reportedly taken.

Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Wife

The video details the "stunning capture" of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by U.S. forces. They are now held at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York, a facility known for housing high-profile inmates such as Ghislaine Maxwell, Sean Combs, El Chapo, and Luigi Mangione. Upon their arrival in New York City, both were handcuffed, with Maduro reportedly giving "two thumbs up" and wishing federal agents "Happy New Year." They are scheduled to make their initial court appearance tomorrow (the day after the broadcast) in federal court in Lower Manhattan.

Details of "Operation Absolute Resolve"

New details have emerged regarding the extraordinary U.S. military and law enforcement operation, codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve," to extract Maduro from his safe house inside a heavily fortified military installation.

Planning and Preparation: The plan was "months in the making." The elite Delta Force had built an "exact replica" of Maduro's safe house to practice the raid. A covert CIA team on the ground tracked Maduro's "every move," including where he slept, what he ate, and even his pets.
Execution: President Trump gave the "green light" for the operation at 10:46 PM Friday night. The weather reportedly "broke just enough," clearing a path for "the most skilled aviators in the world."
Military Assets: More than 150 U.S. military warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, launched from 20 different bases and ships. Videos online showed "explosions lighting the night sky over Caracas" as U.S. warplanes targeted air defenses and military bases. Gunfire was heard as low-flying aircraft struck multiple facilities.
Extraction: Nearly a dozen U.S. Special Operations helicopters "roared through the night," flying "barely 100ft over the dark waters" to carry the extraction team. These helicopters arrived at Maduro's compound around 1:01 AM Saturday morning.
Engagement: Upon arrival, the helicopters "came under fire" and "replied with that fire with overwhelming force in self-defense." One U.S. aircraft was hit but "remained flyable."
Capture Moment: Special operations forces moved in just as Maduro was heading for a safe room, grabbing him and his wife "moments before they could close a steel door behind them." An unnamed official stated, "He was trying to get into a safe place... he wasn't able to make it to the door because our guys were so fast."
Outcome: The operation lasted roughly 2.5 hours over Venezuela, resulting in "only minor injuries to U.S. personnel." Venezuelan lives were reportedly lost in the U.S. strikes, though the Venezuelan government has not confirmed the number.
Post-Capture: President Trump posted an image of Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima, "handcuffed and blindfolded."

Charges and Allegations Against Maduro and Flores

Federal prosecutors have laid out their case in a new four-count indictment, primarily alleging Maduro was at the forefront of a narco-terrorism conspiracy to transport "thousands of tons of cocaine into the U.S."

Specific Allegations:
- Maduro allegedly sold Venezuelan diplomatic passports to individuals he knew were drug traffickers.
- He is accused of seeking to move drug proceeds using private planes under diplomatic cover.
- His wife, Cilia Flores, is highlighted as a "key player in the corruption," allegedly accepting "hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes."
- The government claims the couple maintained state-sponsored gangs and ordered kidnappings, beatings, and murders against those who owed them drug money or undermined their operation.
Maduro's Denial: Maduro has long denied drug trafficking. In a final interview on state TV two days before his capture, he stated, "The U.S. government knows that if they want to seriously discuss an agreement to combat drug trafficking, we're ready."
Family Involvement: Maduro's 35-year-old son is also named in the indictment, but sources indicate he is not in U.S. custody.

U.S. Administration's Stance and Future Plans for Venezuela

The U.S. administration's statements regarding Venezuela's future have been a central point of discussion.

President Trump's Declaration: President Trump initially declared, "The U.S. would now run Venezuela," stating, "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." He added, "It's going to be run very judiciously, very fairly. It's going to make a lot of money."
Threat to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez: After initially signaling that Venezuela's Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, might be cooperative, Trump issued a new threat. Rodriguez was sworn in as the nation's acting president and "blasted the U.S. intervention," calling Maduro's capture an "abduction." Trump warned that if she "doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Clarification: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, described as an "architect of the plan," seemed to "dial back the U.S. role." He clarified that the U.S. is "running the direction that this is going to move forward," using "leverage." Rubio implied the U.S. would pressure the current Venezuelan government with a "military blockade to quarantine oil leaving the country," a departure from Trump's earlier statement about direct U.S. administration. Rubio insisted the U.S. is "not at war with Venezuela."
"Boots on the Ground": Despite campaigning on a pledge to get America out of foreign wars, President Trump now states he "will not rule out sending American troops to Venezuela," declaring, "We're not afraid of boots on the ground."
Congressional Reaction: Lawmakers from both parties are "upset Congress was not notified before any military action was taken" and are calling for a White House briefing.
Criticism: Republican Congressman Thomas Massie posted, "Wake up, MAGA. Venezuela is not about drugs. It's about oil and regime change. This is not what we voted for." He argued that "lives of U.S. soldiers are being risked to make oil companies, not Americans, more profitable."

Reactions and Impact Inside Venezuela

The situation inside Venezuela is described as a "mix of celebration and fear over the country's future."

Celebration: Many Venezuelans expressed relief and joy at Maduro's departure. For example, a woman in Cúcuta, Colombia, cried with joy, hoping her family in exile could return home.
Fear and Uncertainty: Despite the celebrations, many are asking, "what comes next?" and "who is really in control?"
Defiance: Maduro supporters took to the streets, condemning the U.S. and demanding their president's return. Venezuela's Defense Minister remained defiant, stating the military "stands united in the face of imperial aggression" and that "Venezuelan lives were lost" in the U.S. strikes. He warned that "tomorrow it could be against any state or any country."
Border Situation: At the border with Colombia, specifically in Cúcuta, there were "nervous faces." Tens of thousands of Venezuelans who normally cross to buy goods cannot return home, but for millions forced into exile, it's seen as a "path, perhaps, to a new future."

U.S. Takeover of Venezuela's Oil Industry

President Trump has focused on Venezuela's vast oil reserves, the largest in the world.

U.S. Objective: Trump stated, "The runway is now clear for U.S. corporations to revitalize a... badly broken oil industry they once dominated." He added, "We're going to take back the oil... We're in the oil business. We'll be selling oil probably in much larger doses now."
Historical Context: U.S. companies tapped Venezuelan oil for decades until Venezuela nationalized its oil industry, leading to a plummet in output. Sanctions and decades of mismanagement mean the country now accounts for just 1% of global production.
Oil Companies' Hesitation: Some American oil companies, like ConocoPhillips and Chevron, are "not overtly signing on" to the president's plan, citing the "massive" and "very expensive" task. They previously lost billions when forced out by the Venezuelan government.
Current Buyers: China is currently the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil. Trump aims to redirect this oil to the United States or "other friendly countries."
Realistic Timeline: Experts suggest it will likely be "at least years away before we see a truly significant increase in Venezuelan oil production."

Travel Disruptions in the Caribbean

The U.S. military operation led to significant travel disruptions across the Caribbean.

Flight Cancellations: Hundreds of flights were canceled, stranding thousands of tourists.
FAA Ban: The FAA banned U.S. airlines from flying over Venezuela and portions of the Caribbean, citing "ongoing military activity." FlightRadar24 animations showed flights avoiding Venezuelan airspace. Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan was seen empty after the airstrikes.
Impact on Travelers: Many travelers, like Nydia Han from Philadelphia, found themselves stuck for days.
Resolution Efforts: Restrictions were lifted overnight, and major airlines are "racing to get back on track." American Airlines added nearly 5000 extra seats to the region, deploying its largest plane, the Boeing 777. Southwest, United, and JetBlue also added flights. Airlines are urging passengers to check flight status as schedules "could remain fluid in the coming days."

Conclusion

The capture of Nicolas Maduro marks a dramatic shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, executed through a complex and dangerous military operation. While the U.S. administration, led by President Trump, has declared its intention to "run Venezuela" and revitalize its oil industry, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has offered a more nuanced approach, focusing on leverage and oil blockades rather than direct governance. The operation has sparked mixed reactions within Venezuela, with celebrations of Maduro's downfall tempered by fear and uncertainty about the country's future, and defiance from remaining Venezuelan officials. Internationally, the intervention has raised questions about U.S. foreign policy and potential "regime change." The immediate aftermath has also seen significant disruptions to air travel in the Caribbean, highlighting the broad impact of the military action. The long-term implications for Venezuela's political landscape, its vast oil reserves, and regional stability remain uncertain, with significant challenges ahead for any U.S.-led transition.