News Outlets Provide Extensive Venezuela Coverage

Maduro In U.S. Custody

The United States conducted a large-scale military operation early Saturday morning involving airstrikes on targets in Caracas and surrounding areas of Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. 

President Donald Trump announced the operation's success, stating that Maduro would face U.S. trial on drug-trafficking charges and that the U.S. would temporarily "run" the country during a transition period, with involvement in Venezuela's oil industry.

Major U.S. news outlets have provided extensive, factual coverage of the event, focusing on the operation's details, Trump's statements, international reactions, and questions about legality and future implications. 

Here's a breakdown of coverage from key outlets:

• The New York Times — Runs live updates emphasizing the dramatic capture, Trump's claims of U.S. oversight (including oil sales to other countries), and comparisons to historical interventions like the 1989 Panama operation. It highlights criticisms of legality, notes prior U.S. buildup and strikes on vessels/ports, and includes international condemnations (e.g., from Russia). Opinion pieces describe the action as "illegal and unwise."
• CNN — Offers live updates and on-the-ground reporting from Caracas, confirming explosions at military sites (e.g., Fuerte Tiuna, La Carlota airfield). It details Trump's press conference, the role of elite units like Delta Force, and Maduro's indictment. Coverage notes calm in the capital post-strikes and prior escalations (e.g., CIA drone strike in December 2025).
• Fox News — Features live coverage of Trump's Mar-a-Lago address, portraying the operation as a decisive success against a "narco-terrorist" regime. It highlights Trump's praise for the military, the capture details, and plans for U.S. involvement in oil rebuilding, with supportive framing of the administration's actions.
• The Washington Post — Provides live updates on Trump's announcement of U.S. control during transition, explosions in Caracas, and Maduro's removal. It stresses the operation's escalation from prior pressures and notes regional/international concerns.
• Other outlets (e.g., CBS News, NBC News, NPR) — Report similarly on the strikes, capture, and Trump's intentions, including potential further actions and Maduro's trial in New York. They incorporate Venezuelan government accusations of "imperialist aggression" and global reactions (condemnations from allies like Cuba, Russia, Iran; mixed from others).

Coverage across these sources is consistent in reporting the facts of the operation as announced by the Trump administration, while varying in tone: more supportive on Fox News, more scrutinizing of legal/strategic implications on NYT/WaPo/CNN. All note the event's recency, with ongoing developments like potential UN involvement and Venezuelan responses.