Joy and despair as Venezuelans react to Maduro’s capture
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) — Venezuelans across the globe are reacting following the United States (US) military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday which has since sparked alarm across the international community.
US President Donald Trump said Nicolas Maduro and his wife would be taken to New York to face federal charges after military strikes and an operation which he described as looking like a “television show”.
The Venezuelan Government decried what it termed a “extremely serious military aggression” by Washington and declared a state of emergency.
Here is a rundown of some of the reactions:
Supporters of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro gather in the streets of Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Venezuelan citizens living in Spain celebrate in Madrid on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on Venezuela. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
Armed supporters of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro gather near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. President Donald Trump said Saturday that US forces had captured Maduro after bombing the capital Caracas and other cities in a dramatic climax to a months-long standoff between Trump and his Venezuelan arch-foe. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Supporters of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro raise their clenched fists as they gather in the streets of Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
A Venezuelan woman living in Spain celebrates at Puerta del Sol square in Madrid on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on Venezuela. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP)
A supporter of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro with paintings depicting Venezuela’s Liberator Simòn Bolivar, takes part in a gathering in the streets of Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Maduro. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Venezuelans living in Chile celebrate in Santiago on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by Javier TORRES / AFP)
Supporters of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro hold a sign reading “Now and tomorrow, and always, the Boliviarian Revolution of Venezuela will win. Long live Nicolas, long live Chavez, long live the people, damn it,” in the streets of Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Venezuelans living in Chile celebrate in Santiago on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by Javier TORRES / AFP)
A supporter of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro holds a sign reading “Trump kidnapped them. Give them back SOB…” in the streets of Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
Supporters of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro with a national flag and a portrait of him, gather in the streets of Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
A Venezuelan woman living in Ecuador raises her fist as she holds a sign reading “Until they are all free. Free them now!”, referring to people detained in Venezuela, during a gathering in Quito on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by Galo Paguay / AFP)
A Venezuelan woman living in Ecuador celebrates with a national flag on a car in Quito on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. (Photo by Galo Paguay / AFP)
Armed supporters of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro gather near the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured him. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP)
