‘Large scale strike’ carried out against Venezuela; Maduro captured
January 3, 2026/
The U.S. carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” in the overnight hours Saturday, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife, according to a social media post from President Donald Trump.
The president said Maduro and his wife have been flown out of the country, but didn’t indicate where they have been taken. He added that the operation was “done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said in the past that “Maduro is NOT the President of Venezuela and his regime is NOT the legitimate government.”
In a social media post on X from July, Rubio called Maduro the head of the “Cartel de Los Soles, a narco-terror organization” that took “possession of the country. And he is under indictment for pushing drugs into the United States.”
Trump said a news conference will be held later Saturday morning.
This is a developing story.
Today Jul 21
73° 54°
Mostly Sunny
Latest News Stories
Election 2026: Prisoners in historic release by Cooper consistent in pattern
By Alan WootenThe Center Square More than 700 prisoners released in addition to U.S. Senate candidate Roy Cooper’s historic settlement-based 3,500 have a pattern consistent with either homicide, sex offenses,...
Secretary of State says insurance reforms are not political
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says he is offended by a state lawmaker’s suggestion that Giannoulias...
Details show speaker delayed lawmaker misconduct action
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New investigative reporting revealed last week that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch knew of misconduct by...
Man suspected of using ‘incendiary device’ arrested outside NYC immigration court
By Chris WadeThe Center Square A man is in custody after allegedly setting off an "incendiary device" outside a federal immigration court building in New York City Monday morning, authorities...
Gubernatorial candidate calls for leadership overhaul, prison reforms
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Independent Illinois gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett says persistent staffing shortages, aging equipment and what he describes...
U.S. Supreme Court to hear Alaska plane confiscation case
By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case over whether an Alaskan pilot's plane can be seized after he transported alcohol into a town...
Illinois news in brief: Chicago police review Illinois Accountability Commission report; Granite City man sentenced for transporting minor in sex assault case; Report finds Illinois’ AI careers rank 34th in nation
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Chicago police review Illinois Accountability Commission report Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is encouraging people whose experiences are described in the...
Service member killed in action; remains found in search for one missing
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Another U.S. service member has been killed following Iranian strikes in the Middle East, as remains were found in the search for a missing military...
Second family welcomes baby boy
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square And the new baby makes six – Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance welcomed a baby boy Sunday morning. The vice president...
Everyday Economics: Falling gas prices helped keep consumers spending
By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square Inflation fell more than expected in June. That gave consumers some breathing room, and they kept spending – even if they became more selective about...
Illinois may bring early warning of toll costs ahead of proposed rate hike
By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – While Illinois contemplates raising prices on tollways across the state, one state lawmaker wants increased transparency for...
Illinois senator says True Value move highlights business climate concerns
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois state Sen. Chris Balkema said True Value’s decision to move its headquarters from Chicago to...
Two services members killed, one missing in Iranian strike
By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Two U.S. service members have been killed in action, and one remains missing following an Iranian missile strike in Jordan, U.S. Central Command announced Saturday...
