US offered Maduro to move to Türkiye, but he refused — NYT

The United States reportedly offered Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro the chance to voluntarily resign and leave the country, but he refused, according to The New York Times, citing a knowledgeable source.

The proposal, made on December 23, reportedly included relocation to Türkiye.

“But he angrily rejected that plan. It was clear that Maduro was not serious,” the official told NYT.

The source noted that Maduro's rejection prompted Operation Absolute Resolve, a meticulously planned raid executed in the early hours of January 3, 2026. U.S. forces, including elite Delta Force operators supported by over 150 aircraft (helicopters, drones, and fighters), struck targets in Caracas to suppress air defences and clear a path. Forces arrived at Maduro's fortified compound (on the Fuerte Tiuna military base) around 2:01 a.m. local time.

Helicopters came under fire but responded effectively; no U.S. fatalities occurred, though some personnel sustained minor injuries. 

Trump said that once the Special Operations forces made it through the compound to Mr. Maduro’s room, the Venezuelan leader and his wife tried to escape into a steel-reinforced room, but were stopped by the U.S. forces.

“He was trying to get to a safe place,” Mr. Trump said during the news conference with General Caine, adding: “It was a very thick door, a very heavy door. But he was unable to get to that door. He made it to the door, he was unable to close it.”

By Khagan Isayev