In Maduro’s absence, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stepped in as interim leader.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk dined with President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on Saturday, just hours after lauding the US president for a military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
Sharing a photo from the dinner on the social media platform X, Musk wrote, “Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS. 2026 is going to be amazing!”
Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS and @FLOTUS.
2026 is going to be amazing! pic.twitter.com/1Oq35b1PEC
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 4, 2026
Earlier in the day, Musk reposted an image shared by the White House that showed Maduro blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima.
Commenting on the image, Musk wrote, “Congratulations, President Trump! This is a win for the world and a clear message to evil dictators everywhere.”
Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were captured in a surprise nighttime operation carried out by US forces after being pulled from their bedroom. The couple was reportedly asleep in their home within the heavily guarded Fort Tiuna military complex in Caracas when American commandos entered the residence.
The operation was reportedly carried out by the US Army’s Delta Force with support from the FBI and was completed in under 30 minutes. US officials said no American personnel were killed in the raid.
Speaking at a press conference, President Trump said the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can be ensured.
In Maduro’s absence, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stepped in as interim leader. The 56-year-old former labour lawyer strongly denounced the capture of Maduro and Flores, terming it a breach of international law.
