YouTube03 Jan 2026

Trump says Venezuela's Maduro and wife have been 'captured and flown out of the country'

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NBC News

Peter Alexander reports breaking news: the U.S., according to President Trump's Truth Social post, has carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and flying them out of the country. Richard Engel provides context, calling it a regime change operation akin to "Panama 2," and suggests it involved coordination with Maduro's inner circle. Gabe Gutierrez notes the White House's prior focus on combating drug trafficking and conflicting messages about the goals in Venezuela. Vanessa Herrero reports from Caracas, expressing shock and noting a lack of official confirmation from the Venezuelan government, while also mentioning videos circulating of helicopters near government officials' homes. The discussion explores the potential power vacuum and future leadership in Venezuela, the operation's secrecy, and the U.S.'s capabilities, with comparisons drawn to historical events like the capture of Noriega and Saddam Hussein, and the killing of Osama bin Laden.

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