CA, US & World
Trump Officials Say Maduro and Wife Were Injured While Fleeing US Forces During Arrest
Trump administration officials told lawmakers that Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were injured while attempting to flee US forces during their arrest, according to sources familiar with a closed-door congressional briefing.
During the operation, Maduro and Flores reportedly ran through their compound and tried to hide behind a heavy steel door. Officials said the door frame was low, causing both to hit their heads as they attempted to escape. Delta Force operators apprehended the pair and provided first aid after extracting them from the compound.
The details were shared during a more than two-hour briefing with top lawmakers on Monday night. Those present included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Maduro and Flores later appeared in court with visible injuries. Flores’ attorney told the judge she sustained significant injuries during her capture and may have suffered a fracture or severe bruising to her ribs, requesting further medical evaluation. Observers in the courtroom noted that Flores appeared unsteady at times, and Maduro struggled with sitting and standing. Courtroom sketches showed Flores wearing bandages on her head.
Administration officials characterized Flores’ head injury as minor, though they acknowledged both detainees required medical attention.
Officials also told lawmakers that some US Delta Force operators were injured during the operation after a large firefight broke out with a Cuban quick reaction force stationed near Maduro’s compound. Those US injuries were described as not life-threatening. There were nearly 200 US personnel on the ground in Caracas during the mission.
While the US does not have a clear estimate of how many Venezuelan or Cuban forces were killed, Cuba’s government has said 32 of its military and police officers died. US officials suggested the number could be higher.
The administration stressed to lawmakers that Maduro’s capture was not intended as a regime change operation. Venezuela’s government remains largely intact and is now being led by Delcy Rodríguez, who officials described as more pragmatic and someone the US believes it can work with. Rubio has been the administration’s primary point of contact with Rodríguez, and officials say discussions with her and other Venezuelan leaders have been ongoing for months.
US officials also indicated they expect Rodríguez, who also serves as Venezuela’s oil minister, to work with the United States on rebuilding the country’s oil infrastructure and potentially allowing American companies to operate there, though no formal agreement is in place.
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By: CNN Newsource
January 6, 2026
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