A dramatic U.S. operation in Venezuela upended regional travel and geopolitics overnight, with Washington saying its forces struck targets in Caracas and captured President Nicolás Maduro, who has been flown out of the country, according to multiple reports. The fallout was immediate: hundreds of flights were canceled across the Caribbean during a peak holiday travel window, leaving passengers stranded from San Juan to Santo Domingo [1], [2].

What we know

• The U.S. carried out strikes in Caracas and says Maduro was captured and flown out of Venezuela. Images circulating from the capital show residents reacting to explosions and smoke as the operation unfolded [1], [2].
• President Trump said Maduro and his wife would face prosecution in New York, signaling a swift legal track if an extradition framework is asserted [1].
• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth underscored the administration’s posture, saying of Maduro’s arrest that he “effed around and found out,” in a blunt on-camera remark that previewed a hard-line message from Washington [5].

Travel turmoil

• The operation triggered widespread, same-day air disruptions. Airlines scrubbed hundreds of flights across the Caribbean as carriers reassessed overflight permissions and security, snarling post–New Year itineraries and packing customer service lines [1].

Regional tremors—literal and political

• A magnitude-6.5 earthquake rattled southern and central Mexico, killing two people and shaking the capital during morning hours, authorities said. The quake added to a tense regional picture already roiled by the Venezuela operation [1].

Diplomacy watch

• In Kyiv, European national security advisers convened to workshop peace proposals ahead of a leaders’ summit, a sign that—despite battlefield realities—diplomatic tracks around the Ukraine war continue in early 2026 [2].
• Separately, tensions flared between Washington and Tehran as Trump and senior Iranian officials traded threats amid ongoing protests inside Iran—another flashpoint to monitor as capitals recalibrate after the Caracas strikes [2].

Why it matters

• If sustained, the U.S. move in Venezuela could reshape energy, migration, and security flows across the hemisphere—and test regional alliances and legal frameworks once cases land in U.S. courts. The travel shock is an early, tangible consequence felt by families and businesses alike [1].

What to watch next

• Charges and jurisdiction: How and where prosecutors formally charge Maduro—and the status of any extradition or transfer agreements.
• Airline waivers and reroutes: Expect rolling schedule changes as carriers refile flight plans and reassess Venezuelan airspace.
• Kyiv summit outcomes: Whether security advisers’ proposals translate into measurable de-escalation steps.
• Mexico quake aftershocks: Potential infrastructure assessments and transport impacts following the 6.5 temblor.

References

1. Maduro’s capture disrupts Caribbean holiday travel, hundreds of flights canceled – AP News. https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-flight-canceled-maduro-venezuela-d8d7006de25f0b95bea3a0d0ff3757eb
2. European security advisors discuss peace proposals in Kyiv ahead of leaders’ summit – AP News. https://apnews.com/article/peace-proposals-diplomacy-ukraine-war-8eaa7d78332ab3664c54e34b0d3df020
3. Defense Sec. Hegseth on Nicolas Maduro arrest: ’He effed around and found out’ – USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/videos/news/2026/01/03/hegseth-nicolas-maduro-arrest-effed-around-found-out-venezuela/88006987007/