The BareStory
President Donald Trump announced on Friday, January 9, 2026, that he has canceled a "second wave of attacks" against Venezuela. The decision follows a U.S. military mission in Caracas, identified as Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump attributed the cancellation of further strikes to "cooperation" from Venezuelan authorities, specifically citing the release of political prisoners.
Details regarding the initial operation have emerged from multiple sources. A U.S. administration official described the mission as complex, reporting that seven American service members were injured, including a pilot whose helicopter was struck by hostile fire. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello alleged that 100 people were killed during the raid, while the Cuban government confirmed the deaths of 32 of its armed forces members who were in the country.
Following their capture, Maduro and Flores were transported to the United States. On January 5, Maduro was photographed being escorted by federal agents to a courthouse in Manhattan. Prosecutors have indicted the pair on drug trafficking charges. According to reports, they pleaded not guilty, with Maduro asserting in court that he was a "prisoner of war" who had been "kidnapped." In Caracas, Delcy Rodriguez is serving as interim president and declared a week of mourning for those killed in the operation.
In the aftermath, President Trump stated that U.S. ships would remain in the region for security purposes. He also announced plans to meet with oil executives to discuss a potential $100 billion investment to rebuild Venezuela's energy infrastructure, noting that proceeds would be used to buy American products. Domestically, the U.S. Senate voted 52 to 47 to advance a war powers resolution intended to limit the president's ability to conduct future hostilities against Venezuela without congressional authorization.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
The domestic economy could see shifts from a proposed $100 billion investment in Venezuelan energy infrastructure, which the President states will be used to purchase American products.
Immediate combat risks for service members have decreased following the cancellation of a second wave of attacks, though naval ships remain deployed and seven Americans were injured.
You can expect high-profile legal proceedings in Manhattan as Nicolás Maduro faces federal drug trafficking charges, despite his courtroom assertions that he is a prisoner of war.
Executive power to conduct military operations may face new constraints after the Senate advanced a resolution requiring congressional authorization for future hostilities against Venezuela.
