Lula Confirms U.S. Capture of Maduro on Venezuelan Soil

HEADLINE: Lula Confirms U.S. Capture of Maduro on Venezuelan Soil

BRASILIA — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated today that U.S. military operations within Venezuelan borders have resulted in the "capture" of President Nicolás Maduro, providing the first high-level independent confirmation of the leader's detention following a massive overnight strike package.

In a strongly worded statement, Lula declared that "the bombings on Venezuelan territory and the capture of its president cross an unacceptable line." Crucially, this confirmation addresses outstanding questions regarding the operation's execution: Lula indicated that U.S. personnel—likely Special Operations Forces—physically breached Venezuelan territory to perform the detention, rather than relying on local proxies or negotiating a voluntary surrender.

Status of Custody and 'Maximum Pressure' While the Maduro administration had previously demanded "proof of life," Lula’s statement serves as a de facto validation that the Venezuelan president is now in U.S. custody. This development marks the climax of the U.S. "Maximum Pressure 2.0" campaign, which saw the State Department raise the bounty for information leading to Maduro’s arrest to $50 million in August 2025.

The confirmation of a forceful "capture" effectively nullifies speculation regarding a negotiated exile to Russia. The Brazilian President’s remarks describe a non-voluntary removal, consistent with the enforcement of the 2020 U.S. federal indictments for "narco-terrorism," rather than a diplomatic exit.

Boots on the Ground Lula’s confirmation of a capture on Venezuelan soil substantiates reports that U.S. active-duty forces have entered Venezuela's terrestrial territory. Under the current administration’s strategy of "total spectrum dominance," the operation appears to have utilized the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group—deployed late last year as part of Operation "Southern Spear"—to facilitate the insertion and extraction of these personnel.

The Invasion Debate The distinction between a targeted extraction and a full-scale invasion remains the central geopolitical dispute. Washington maintains that the January 3 strikes were a limited law enforcement action designed to apprehend a designated target and degrade military infrastructure protecting the Cartel of the Suns.

However, the scale of the bombardment and the physical seizure of the head of state blur these definitions. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency, characterizing the event as an illegal invasion. With Lula warning of a "violation of sovereignty" and a "humanitarian catastrophe," the consensus among regional leaders is shifting toward viewing the operation as a military offensive intended to alter control of the Venezuelan state, rather than a police action.