Pictures show people reacting to the US capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro

Read more:

Government supporters demand President Nicolas Maduro’s release from U.S. custody during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

 

CARACAS, Venezuela — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

Venezuelans celebrate after President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)

People shout slogans during a protest in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, against a U.S. military attack that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from the country. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

A woman reacts as people gather against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)

Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

A government supporter wears a hat with dolls from the TV program, Super Bigote, based on President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores, during a protest demanding their release from U.S. custody, in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)

Venezuelans celebrate in Quito, Ecuador, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. (AP Photo/Carlos Noriega)

Government supporters rip an American flag in half during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces had captured President Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Protesters rally in front of the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation. (AP Photo/Jessica Phelps)

Pro-government armed civilians patrol in La Guaira, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel attends a rally in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in solidarity with Venezuela after the U.S. captured President Nicolas Maduro and flew him out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Attorney General Tarek William Saab raises his right fist as he leaves the vice president’s office in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

Pro-government armed civilians block streets in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

(full-width)