WASHINGTON, D.C. January 4, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Sunday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been arrested in a daring operation authorized by President Donald Trump, capping a more than decade-long investigation into alleged drug trafficking by the Maduro regime.
In an official statement posted on X, DHS described the action as a critical step to dismantle a criminal enterprise linked to Maduro and elements of Venezuela’s military and security services. “The investigation into Maduro has been ongoing for more than a decade, but President Trump made the bold brilliant action to go in and arrest him,” the post read.
The statement credited Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, with uncovering a drug-trafficking syndicate operating across Latin America, Central America, and into the United States. “The Western hemisphere must be safe for our country and our allies,” DHS added.
Secretary Noem appeared on Fox News Sunday to discuss the operation, expressing gratitude for President Trump’s decisive leadership. “Americans are extremely grateful and Venezuelans are grateful for the leadership of President Trump. He took action to keep them safe,” Noem said. She noted that HSI, in coordination with the FBI and CIA, had been tracking Maduro’s alleged drug trafficking and crimes against humanity for years.
Accompanying the DHS post was video footage from the Fox News interview, featuring split-screen visuals of Noem speaking alongside nighttime clips apparently showing the operation: U.S. personnel in tactical gear moving in low-light conditions, boarding aircraft, and securing an area near a plane on a tarmac.
The arrest marks a significant escalation in U.S. efforts against the Maduro government, which has faced longstanding U.S. sanctions and indictments over narcotics trafficking and human rights abuses. Details on Maduro’s current location, the exact site of the arrest in Venezuela, and any international repercussions remain limited as of Sunday evening.
Reactions on social media were swift and polarized, with supporters praising the move as a victory for regional security and critics questioning the legality and implications of extraterritorial action against a sitting head of state.
The White House has not yet issued a formal statement, but the operation underscores President Trump’s focus on confronting perceived threats in the Western Hemisphere during his second term.
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