How the U.S. military buildup and strikes led to Maduro’s capture: Timeline

President Trump on Saturday (January 3, 2025) announced the capture of the Venezuelan leader, Nicolás Maduro, in a military operation that appeared to be the culmination of a campaign against Mr. Maduro.

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Mr. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken from their home on a military base and were aboard a U.S. warship on their way to New York, where they were to face criminal charges. An indictment accused them of a role in narco-terrorism conspiracy.

The Venezuelan government called it an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to take to the streets.

His capture came after months of deadly strikes on supposed drug-carrying boats, the seizure of two tankers carrying Venezuelan oil and a U.S. military buildup off the South American country’s shores.

Here is a timeline of the U.S. military actions and related developments:

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