CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington.
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Nadine Siler, of Waldorf, Md., dressed in a pink frog costume, attends a rally outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
People celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Protesters demonstrate in front of Stewart Air National Guard Base before the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Newburgh, N.Y. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
A Venezuelan celebrates in Bogotá, Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Jose Vargas)
Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Attorney General Tarek William Saab raises his right fist as he leaves the vice president's office in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
A demonstrator holds a banner with a message that reads in Spanish: "Out of Venezuela, U.S." during a protest outside the U.S embassy after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Venezuelans celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Cubans attends a rally in Havana, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
A protester raises a US flag which has been set ablaze during a rally opposing the United States strikes on Venezuela and the capturing of its President Nicolas Maduro, outside the U.S embassy in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
A woman defaces the facade of the U.S. Embassy with red handprints in protest against the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stands on a median strip waving a national flag in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Government supporters rip in half an American flag during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Maribel Gonzalez celebrates outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
Pro-government armed civilians block streets in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A Venezuelan national watches a live televised broadcast of U.S. President Donald Trump speaking at a press conference about the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, at a Venezuelan restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Venezuelans celebrate in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)
People protest outside the U.S. Embassy against the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Venezuelans celebrate after President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
People line up outside a supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuelan Wiliana Flores celebrates in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A destroyed armored vehicle sits at La Carlota airport in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after explosions were reported at the site. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Pro-government armed civilians patrol in La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Smoke rises from Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after multiple explosions were heard and aircraft swept through the area, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
National Guard armored vehicles block an avenue leading to Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Supporters display a poster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
A vehicle drives along a darkened highway next to Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Residents evacuate a building near the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Members of the presidential guard stand outside the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Residents evacuate a building near the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Soldiers guard the area around the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Pedestrians walk past the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Nadine Siler, of Waldorf, Md., dressed in a pink frog costume, attends a rally outside the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
People celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Protesters demonstrate in front of Stewart Air National Guard Base before the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Newburgh, N.Y. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
A Venezuelan celebrates in Bogotá, Colombia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Jose Vargas)
Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Attorney General Tarek William Saab raises his right fist as he leaves the vice president's office in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
A demonstrator holds a banner with a message that reads in Spanish: "Out of Venezuela, U.S." during a protest outside the U.S embassy after President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Venezuelans celebrate at the Obelisk in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
Cubans attends a rally in Havana, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
A protester raises a US flag which has been set ablaze during a rally opposing the United States strikes on Venezuela and the capturing of its President Nicolas Maduro, outside the U.S embassy in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
A woman defaces the facade of the U.S. Embassy with red handprints in protest against the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
A supporter of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stands on a median strip waving a national flag in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Government supporters rip in half an American flag during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Maribel Gonzalez celebrates outside Versailles Cuban Cuisine after President Donald Trump announced President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Miami, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Jen Golbeck)
Pro-government armed civilians block streets in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
A Venezuelan national watches a live televised broadcast of U.S. President Donald Trump speaking at a press conference about the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, at a Venezuelan restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Venezuelans celebrate in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)
People protest outside the U.S. Embassy against the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, in Mexico City, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Venezuelans celebrate after President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
People line up outside a supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuelan Wiliana Flores celebrates in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
A destroyed armored vehicle sits at La Carlota airport in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after explosions were reported at the site. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Pro-government armed civilians patrol in La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
Smoke rises from Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after multiple explosions were heard and aircraft swept through the area, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
National Guard armored vehicles block an avenue leading to Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Supporters display a poster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
A vehicle drives along a darkened highway next to Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Residents evacuate a building near the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Members of the presidential guard stand outside the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Residents evacuate a building near the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Soldiers guard the area around the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Pedestrians walk past the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
