On Saturday morning, President Donald Trump ordered American forces to strike Caracas, Venezuela. They captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores and brought them to the U.S.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, shared on X that Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him, “the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant.” Lee added, “This action likely falls within the president’s inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack.”
Just got off the phone with @SecRubio
He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant… https://t.co/lXCxhPoKSZ
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 3, 2026
Retired Air Force colonel and CNN analyst Cedric Leighton called the defense “a bit of a stretch.” He said, “It is definitely a stretch to say that this was the protection of law enforcement personnel to conduct this operation.”
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Trump made the announcement on Truth Social early Saturday morning. He wrote, “Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured and flown to the United States.” The post came hours after U.S. military strikes in Caracas, which Venezuelan officials said killed civilians and soldiers.
The raid was fast and intense. Explosions hit parts of Caracas, sending smoke into the sky. The world watched in shock as one of America’s biggest adversaries was taken without warning.
The U.S. claims Maduro led the “Cartel of the Suns,” a drug-trafficking operation. Maduro has denied all accusations. Both he and Flores will face trial in Manhattan federal court for multiple crimes, including drug trafficking and weapons violations.
The White House did not inform Congress before the strike. The Senate Armed Services Committee was unaware, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles previously said Trump would need congressional approval for a land war in Venezuela.
Supporters praised the raid. Some said it proves the U.S. will act decisively. Critics blasted it as illegal. Democrats warned, “Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law.”
The world is watching. Venezuelan officials called it “unprecedented aggression.” Nations nearby are on alert. The bold strike raises questions about what Trump might do next and the rules for presidential military action.
Trump celebrated the success. He told reporters the operation “was perfect,” claiming it protects Americans while holding Maduro accountable. Sen. Lee also said Rubio did not anticipate “further military activity in Venezuela now that Maduro has been captured.”
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
