Venezuela's military recognizes VP as acting leader after Maduro's capture

Delcy Rodriguez, who is next in the presidential line of succession, served as Nicolas Maduro's vice president since 2018.

• Jan 4

Van Hollen on Venezuela operation

Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said that the U.S. strikes in Venezuela have "never been about stopping drugs from coming into the U.S.," but rather "about getting rid of Maduro" and "grabbing Venezuela's oil."

• Jan 4

Himes on communication over Venezuela

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut said that he has had "zero outreach" from the Trump administration over the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to Nicolás Maduro and his wife's capture, and that no Democrat that he's aware of has "had any outreach whatsoever."

• Jan 4

Rubio: Have "optionality" to occupy Venezuela

After the U.S. carried out a military operation in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says "the president always retains the optionality" to occupy the country.

• Jan 4

Trump: U.S. will "run" Venezuela temporarily

Following a public pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, on Saturday a military assault ordered by President Donald Trump captured Maduro and his wife, who were then taken to the United States to face narco-terrorism, drug trafficking and weapons charges. Venezuela's vice president denounced the operation and called it illegal. Trump said the U.S. would "run the country" until there's a judicious transition, and warned of more attacks if Venezuela does not comply. CBS News national security correspondent David Martin outlines the operation.

• Jan 4

U.S. lawmakers react after Trump announces Venezuela operation

Reactions from U.S. lawmakers poured in after the Trump administration announced strikes on Venezuela and the capture of the country's president.

• Jan 4

Photos show damage at Fuerte Tiuna, the military base where Maduro was captured

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex located in Caracas, on Saturday amid U.S. military operations.

• Jan 3

Pete Hegseth says U.S. intervention in Venezuela is "exact opposite" of Iraq

"We spent decades and decades and purchased in blood, and got nothing economically in return, and President Trump flips the script," Pete Hegseth said.

• Jan 3

Maduro indicted on federal drug-trafficking and weapons charges

An indictment charging Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro with drug trafficking was unsealed Saturday.

• Jan 3

Pete Hegseth: "President Trump sets the terms" on running Venezuela

"President Trump sets the terms. And ultimately, he'll decide what the iterations are of that," Hegseth told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil.

• Jan 3

Questions loom after U.S. captures Nicolás Maduro

President Trump announced the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who landed in U.S. custody in New York on Saturday.

• Jan 3

Hegseth on the next week in Venezuela

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joins "CBS Evening News" to discuss the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

• Jan 3

Hegseth on the U.S. rationale for Maduro's capture

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joins "CBS Evening News" to discuss why the U.S. captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

• Jan 3

Maduro treated like drug kingpin, authorities say

After their capture, former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife were flown to Stewart International Airport, 60 miles north of New York City, then will be helicoptered to Manhattan. They will be processed at the headquarters of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Ali Bauman reports.

• Jan 3

Bondi says Maduro will face "wrath" of U.S. justice

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on Saturday that Nicolás Maduro and his wife "will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts." Scott MacFarlane has details on the legal case against the former Venezuelan strongman.

• Jan 3

Venezuelan officials condemn Maduro's capture, calling it a "kidnapping"

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and other top figures condemned the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, posing a potential challenge to President Trump's suggestion that the U.S. will "run" Venezuela.

• Jan 3

Trump says "we're going to run" Venezuela until peaceful transition takes place

President Trump said the U.S. would "run the country" of Venezuela until "a safe, proper and judicious transition," following the U.S. military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro.

• Jan 3

Maduro's capture leads to hundreds of Caribbean flight cancellations

The U.S. military operation capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has disrupted Caribbean travel.

• Jan 3

Venezuelans in South Florida on Maduro

Venezuelans in South Florida are rejoicing after a U.S. military operation led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. CBS News Miami reporter Steve Maugeri has more.

• Jan 3

No U.S. service members killed in Venezuela

No U.S. service members were killed in the military operation in Venezuela, the Trump administration said. CBS News national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata has more details.

• Jan 3

World reacts to U.S. strikes in Venezuela

World leaders are reacting to the U.S. operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of the South American country's leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores. CBS News' Haley Ott has more details.

• Jan 3

How Congress found out about Venezuela

Congressional lawmakers were notified about the U.S. strikes on Venezuela after they began, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday. Republican Rep. Rick Crawford, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, a ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, join with more.

• Jan 3

Breaking down Trump's Venezuela remarks

President Trump spoke to reporters on Saturday after announcing U.S. strikes inside Venezuela that led to the capture of its leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. CBS News' Ed O'Keefe and Margaret Brennan have more.

• Jan 3

Trump speaks on Maduro's capture

President Trump spoke at Mar-a-Lago after confirming a "large scale" military strike in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Mr. Trump said the U.S. will "run" Venezuela until a peaceful transition can take place and said the U.S. is ready to conduct a second, larger attack if necessary. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine and Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided other details. Jericka Duncan anchored this Special Report.

• Jan 3

Trump speaks after Maduro capture

President Trump addressed the U.S. after confirming a "large scale" military strike in Venezuela and capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Mr. Trump said the U.S. will "run" Venezuela until a "safe" transition can take place, but did not provide specific details. He also said the U.S. is ready to conduct a second, larger attack if necessary.

• Jan 3

Show More