By S.K. Kindelpitiya,
Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 4, 2026
Caracas, Venezuela – In a brazen act that has sent shockwaves through Latin America, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was kidnapped early Sunday morning by unidentified armed assailants during a high-security convoy in the capital’s fortified Miraflores Palace district.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire around 2:00 AM local time as Maduro’s motorcade returned from a late-night security briefing. Venezuelan state media confirmed the incident hours later, with Information Minister Freddy Nanez stating that the president was “forcibly taken” by a group of 10-15 masked gunmen who overwhelmed his elite security detail.
At least three bodyguards were killed, and two others wounded in the exchange, according to preliminary reports from the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN).
Chaotic Response and Regional Fallout
The Venezuelan military has sealed off key highways leading out of Caracas and launched a nationwide manhunt, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assuming temporary command.
She addressed the nation via television, vowing “swift retribution” and accusing “imperialist forces backed by the United States” of orchestrating the plot-a claim swiftly denied by the White House, which called for Maduro’s immediate release.
Opposition leaders, including exiled figurehead María Corina Machado, expressed cautious optimism, urging international mediators to prioritize Maduro’s safety amid Venezuela’s deepening political crisis.
The kidnapping comes amid escalating tensions over disputed 2024 election results and crippling U.S. sanctions that have fueled hyperinflation and mass migration.
International Reactions Pour In
United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence and called for de-escalation.
Brazil and Colombia: Neighboring presidents pledged joint border patrols to aid the search.
Russia and Iran: Longtime Maduro allies demanded an emergency OAS meeting, labeling it a “coup attempt.
“United States: Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “We are monitoring closely and stand ready to assist in ensuring stability.
“Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath expressed concern, noting Venezuela’s role as a key oil supplier and calling for respect for democratic norms.
As rescue operations intensify, the fate of Maduro-Latin America’s longest-serving leader-remains uncertain, raising fears of civil unrest in a nation already on the brink.
