CARACAS January 4, 2026 — The Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) issued an official statement on Sunday strongly condemning the United States for the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, First Lady Cilia Flores, calling it a “cowardly kidnapping” and a grave violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.
In a formal address delivered by a military representative surrounded by uniformed officers, the FANB rejected the US military operation that resulted in Maduro’s removal from the country. The statement described the action as a premeditated act of aggression with “terrible consequences,” involving an unprecedented deployment of foreign forces on Venezuelan soil.
“The Bolivarian National Armed Forces demand the immediate release of the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” the representative declared, affirming that Maduro remains the legitimate leader elected by the Venezuelan people for the 2025–2031 term through “free elections” in 2024.
The communiqué also called for the release of Cilia Flores, describing her detention as an outrage against a “brave and courageous woman.” It urged the international community to condemn the violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and constitution.
The statement follows Saturday’s surprise US military operation, in which American forces conducted strikes on targets in Caracas and extracted Maduro and his wife from their residence. US President Donald Trump announced the capture, stating that Maduro is now in custody in New York to face longstanding federal drug-trafficking charges.
Trump described the operation as a success, noting that the US would temporarily “run” Venezuela during the transition. Venezuelan officials, including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, have echoed the FANB’s denunciation, rejecting the “cobarde secuestro” (cowardly kidnapping).
International reactions have been mixed, with some governments and organizations condemning the US action as a breach of international law, while others have expressed support for holding Maduro accountable.
The video of the FANB’s official communiqué quickly went viral on social media, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas. Maduro is expected to appear in US federal court as early as Monday.
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