How Trump Fixed On a Maduro Loyalist as Venezuela’s New Leader

The New York Times•January 4, 2026•general

Key Points:

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected a late December ultimatum from President Trump to leave office and accept exile in Turkey, according to sources involved in transition talks.
Maduro publicly dismissed escalating U.S. actions, including a strike on a dock linked to drug trafficking, by dancing on state television and repeating “No crazy war” in English.
His public displays of nonchalance led some in the Trump administration to believe Maduro was mocking U.S. threats and calling their bluff.
In response, the White House authorized a military operation, resulting in a pre-dawn raid in Caracas that captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were then taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges.