US military tried several times to extract Maduro - including on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, report says [View all]
Source: The Independent
Sunday 04 January 2026 10:22 EST
The United States tried several times last year to extradite Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro – including on Christmas and New Year’s Day – before successfully carrying out the strike on Saturday, according to a report. The two earlier attempts to capture Maduro, who has ruled the country for 13 years,were hampered by weather, Trump administration officials and others familiar with the operation told the Wall Street Journal.
After the failed attempts, President Donald Trump deferred to the Pentagon on when to carry out the strike, and was given the go-ahead at 10:46 p.m. Friday, according to the report.
“Good luck and godspeed,” Trump told military leaders before watching the mission unfold from a makeshift secure facility at Mar-a-Lago. Surrounded by his top aides, Trump received constant updates as 150 warplanes flew to the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and forced their way into Maduro’s bedroom.
Images released by the Trump administration also showed officials monitoring X on a large screen for any mention of the word “Venezuela.”
Read more: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/venezuela-maduro-capture-christmas-new-years-b2894226.html
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