Nicolás Maduro was the president of Venezuela from 2013 until his capture by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026, during a military operation known as "Operation Absolute Resolve." Maduro, along with his wife Cilia Flores, was taken from Caracas and transported to the United States to face federal charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, to which they have pleaded not guilty.

Following the capture, interim President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership in Venezuela, while the U.S. announced it would temporarily "run" the country and manage its oil resources until a political transition could be established. Despite being deposed, Maduro is still considered the de jure president by the Venezuelan government under Rodríguez.

The U.S. government, under President Donald Trump, justified the operation by accusing Maduro of turning Venezuela into a "narco-terrorist state" and flooding the U.S. with drugs. The move has drawn mixed international reactions, with some nations supporting the action due to Maduro's disputed 2024 re-election, while legal scholars have raised concerns about the violation of international law.

Maduro, a former bus driver and union leader, rose to power after the death of Hugo Chávez. His tenure was marked by authoritarian rule, economic collapse, mass emigration, and widespread allegations of corruption and human rights abuses. The U.S. had previously offered a reward of up to $50 million for information leading to his capture.