Start Here Trump Wants to “Run” Venezuela. What Does That Mean?
Jan 5, 2026
Martha Raddatz, ABC News chief global affairs correspondent, breaks down the dramatic U.S. raid leading to Nicolas Maduro's extraction. She discusses the operational details and geopolitical ramifications of the incident. Matt Rivers, reporting from Bogota, shares mixed Venezuelan reactions to Maduro's removal and the implications of U.S. involvement. Together, they explore what 'running' Venezuela means in this complex scenario, revealing the ongoing strategies and sentiments from both sides of the conflict.
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Maduro's Secretive Extraction And Arrival
- Nicolas Maduro arrived at the Manhattan Detention Center after being taken from Venezuela in a nighttime raid. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also brought to face federal indictments in New York.
High-Risk, High-Cooperation Military Operation
- The raid combined months of CIA tracking with elite special-operations execution including Delta Force helicopters and supporting warplanes. Overwhelming force neutralized air defenses and ensured the extraction team reached Maduro's compound safely.
Law Enforcement Framing Meets Political Control
- After the extraction the U.S. framed the action as law enforcement rather than an act of war, handing Maduro to the DEA. President Trump then declared the U.S. would be "running" Venezuela, creating international uncertainty about sovereignty and plans.