Iran Says 3,000 People Arrested as Anti-government Protests Subside
Iran Says 3,000 People Arrested as Anti-government Protests Subside
According to Venezuela’s Defence Ministry, nearly 50 soldiers were killed during a targeted U.S. military raid aimed at capturing President Nicolás Maduro.
Officials confirmed that the total death toll reached 83 people, including both security forces and civilians, following the violent confrontation at the presidential residence in Caracas.
The mission, titled “Absolute Resolve,” was executed by elite American units during the early morning hours of January 3, 2026. U.S. authorities stated the objective was to take Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, into custody to face federal charges related to narcotics and weapons trafficking.
After their capture, the couple were flown to New York City, where they have entered pleas of not guilty.
To facilitate the ground assault, U.S. forces launched heavy airstrikes against military targets to neutralize Venezuelan defenses. Residents in the capital reported hearing massive blasts and experiencing widespread power outages as electronic warfare was used to shut down the electrical grid.
Additionally, the Cuban government reported that 32 of its own military advisors died while attempting to protect the compound.
The operation has sparked a global outcry, with numerous countries and legal analysts denouncing the move as a breach of international law and national sovereignty.
In the wake of the raid, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president, labeling the incident a “criminal abduction” and asserting that Venezuela would maintain its independence from foreign powers.
President Donald Trump stood by the decision, framing the intervention as a legitimate law enforcement effort against individuals indicted on narcoterrorism charges.
While the White House maintains the operation achieved its goals, many experts fear the incident has established a volatile precedent that could lead to long-term instability throughout Latin America.
