Fact Check: Is Nicholas Maduro alive: Probably, Maybe, or Probably Not?
Context: After multiple military interventions off the coast of Venezuela in 2025, the U.S. Military appears to have successful abducted Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro in the early morning hours of January 3rd, 2026. The Trump Administration conducted a press conference on the operation late this morning after multiple Venezuelan officials called for proof that Maduro is still alive.
Evidence that Maduro is alive…
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
- Trump says Venezuela’s Maduro captured after strikes. (2026, January 3). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/loud-noises-heard-venezuela-capital-southern-area-without-electricity-2026-01-03/
Statement from Pam Bondi:
“Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.
Nicolas Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States.
They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”
- Magee, C., & Jamal, U. (2026, January 3). Live: Trump claims Venezuela’s Maduro ‘captured’ after US attacks. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/1/3/live-loud-noises-heard-in-venezuelas-capital-amid-us-tensions
Lack of Evidence that Maduro is alive:
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS):
“”We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodriguez said. “We demand proof of life.””
- US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country. (2026, January 3). PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/us-strikes-venezuela-and-says-its-leader-maduro-has-been-captured-and-flown-out-of-the-country
“Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, speaking through state-run media, said they do not know whether Maduro and his spouse are alive, adding, “The U.S. government must present evidence regarding their survival status.””
“Rodríguez also claimed that public officials, military personnel, and civilians across the country lost their lives due to the U.S. attack.”
- U.S. arrests Maduro, spouse with no casualties. (2026, January 3). The Chosun Daily. https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/01/03/E5LAEBQXSVADNNV2J5KR6K6FYU/
“Tarek William Saab… repeated demands that other officials have made for proof that Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were alive.”
- U.S. arrests Maduro, spouse with no casualties. (2026, January 3). The Chosun Daily. https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/01/03/E5LAEBQXSVADNNV2J5KR6K6FYU/
Answer: Maybe.
UPDATE (1202 EST): Probably.
Public Broadcasting Service (PBS):
In an update on the U.S. Military operation that took place in Venezuela late last night and early this morning, President Trump stated that Nicolas Maduro is alive aboard a ship in transit to either Miami or New York.
- WATCH LIVE: Trump holds news conference after announcing U.S. has captured Venezuelan leader Maduro. (2026, January 3). [Video]. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/watch-live-trump-holds-news-conference-after-announcing-u-s-has-captured-venezuelan-leader-maduro
Evidence for the U.S. Government’s historical use of force against leaders in Latin America…
Guatemala (1954)
Cuba (1959-1961)
Brazil (1964)
Dominican Republic (1965)
Ecuador (1961-1963)
Bolivia (1964-1970’s)
Uruguay (1960’s-1973)
Chile (1970-1973)
Argentina (1976)
El Salvador (1980’s)
Nicaragua (1980’s)
Grenada (1983)
Panama (1989)
- Magee, C., & Jamal, U. (2026, January 3). Live: Trump claims Venezuela’s Maduro ‘captured’ after US attacks. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/1/3/live-loud-noises-heard-in-venezuelas-capital-amid-us-tensions
Venezuela (2025-2026) can now be added to the above list.
Deliberating Truth 