In a dramatic late-night social media post, former US President Donald Trump has released a series of photographs that purportedly show him and his senior national security team overseeing a major military operation in Venezuela. The images, shared on his Truth Social platform, have sent shockwaves through international circles, with Trump claiming the operation resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
The Mar-a-Lago Command Centre
The photographs were posted in the early hours of January 3, 2026. They depict Trump seated at what appears to be a situation room setup within his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Flanking him are key figures from his cabinet, presenting a real-time snapshot of a high-stakes national security event.
Among the officials visible in the images are Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. The group is seen intently monitoring screens, suggesting they were watching the unfolding events of what Trump described as a "large-scale strike" in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.
Trump's Claims of a Successful Capture
Accompanying the images, Trump made the explosive claim that the US military operation was a success, directly leading to the apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his spouse. He hailed the mission as a "brilliant op" inside Caracas. The release of these photos appears to be a strategic move to visually assert command and claim credit for a decisive action against a long-standing geopolitical adversary.
The timing and nature of the operation, as presented by Trump, indicate a significant escalation in US involvement in Venezuela. The use of force to directly target and capture a sitting head of state marks a severe intensification of the years-long political and economic conflict between Washington and the Caracas government.
Immediate Fallout and Unanswered Questions
While Trump's social media post presents a narrative of a successful, presidentially-directed capture, the situation on the ground remains fluid and shrouded in uncertainty. The release has immediately triggered a demand from Venezuelan authorities for "proof of life" regarding Maduro, casting doubt on the veracity of the claims or the condition of the captured leader.
Reports suggest Venezuela activated its defence command and deployed troops in response to the alleged invasion. The incident, if confirmed, represents one of the most direct military interventions in the Western Hemisphere in recent decades and is likely to provoke strong reactions from global powers aligned with Maduro's government, potentially further destabilizing regional politics.
The world now watches for independent verification of these claims and the official response from the current US administration, as the photographs from Mar-a-Lago ignite a fresh international crisis.
