President Announces Joint Military–Law Enforcement Action; Press Conference Set for 11:00 A.M. at Mar-a-Lago

Saturday, January 3, 2026, 5:15 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, & Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

MAR-A-LAGO, FL.- President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a decisive joint operation by the U.S. military and U.S. law-enforcement agencies has taken Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, into U.S. custody and removed them from Venezuela, and the two are currently in U.S. custody.

     The announcement underscores what the Trump administration has long argued: that firm American leadership and coordinated action can confront regimes accused of corruption, narcotics trafficking, and the systematic oppression of their own people. The White House said additional details will be provided at an 11:00 A.M. EST press conference at Mar‑a‑Lago.

     While operational specifics have not yet been released publicly, the president described the action as a coordinated strike executed with precision by U.S. forces working alongside federal law enforcement, an approach consistent with the administration’s hard-line stance against transnational crime and authoritarian rule.

A Regime Long Accused Of Abuse;

     For years, Maduro’s government has been accused by U.S. officials and international watchdogs of hollowing out democratic institutions, crushing dissent, and presiding over an economic collapse that forced millions of Venezuelans to flee. Washington has repeatedly labeled senior figures in Caracas as central players in criminal networks, while Maduro has answered with bluster and anti-American rhetoric.

     Saturday’s announcement, if borne out by official confirmation, would mark a turning point, ending what critics have called a reign of impunity for a leader who clung to power as his country’s humanitarian crisis deepened.

Reports From The Ground;

     In the hours surrounding the announcement, reports circulated of heightened military activity across parts of Venezuela, including explosions and low-flying aircraft near Caracas. Venezuelan state media quickly condemned the United States, declaring emergency measures and accusing Washington of aggression, claims that mirror the regime’s longstanding tactic of deflecting blame outward as conditions at home deteriorate.

     As of publication, Caracas has offered no verifiable account of Maduro’s whereabouts.

American Leadership, Regional Implications;

     Supporters of the president argue the move demonstrates a clear break from years of diplomatic drift, signaling that the United States will act decisively when authoritarian regimes threaten regional stability and U.S. interests. Critics abroad have raised legal questions, but administration allies counter that accountability for alleged criminal conduct does not stop at a border, or at a palace gate.

     Latin American governments convened emergency discussions Saturday, reflecting the magnitude of the moment and the potential for a reshaped regional landscape.

What We Know Now;

• Confirmed: President Trump has announced that Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores are in U.S. custody.
• Confirmed: An 11:00 A.M. EST press conference is scheduled at Mar-a-Lago.
• Pending: Independent confirmation and detailed explanations from U.S. agencies regarding the operation’s execution and legal basis.

     Englebrook Independent News will continue to report verified developments as officials provide on-the-record details.

Editor’s Note: 

This report reflects statements made by President Donald Trump as of publication time. While the administration’s announcement is significant, certain operational details have not yet been independently confirmed. Englebrook Independent News is committed to fact-based reporting and will update readers as additional verified information becomes available. By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor, & Art Fletcher, Englebrook Independent News.