04.01.2026 13:40
The New York Times, one of the leading newspapers in the United States, reported that the Trump administration offered Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to relinquish power and go to Turkey on December 23, and that a military operation was initiated after Maduro rejected the offer.
The United States bombed several locations in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, around 2:00 AM local time yesterday. A few hours after the attack, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media account that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been arrested and were on their way to be brought to the U.S.
The claim that the operation lasted only three hours and that the U.S. special operations team Delta Force did not suffer any casualties resonated widely in the global public. It was reported that Maduro was brought to the Metropolitan Detention Center in New York today, while new details regarding the arrest process were brought to light by The New York Times.
CLAIM OF AN ULTIMATUM TO MADURO TO "GO TO TURKEY"
According to a report by The New York Times based on American and Venezuelan sources, the Washington administration issued an ultimatum to Maduro on December 23 to relinquish power and go to Turkey. The report stated that Maduro was offered a "comfortable and secure life" abroad, but the 63-year-old leader rejected this proposal.
The newspaper suggested that after the rejection of the offer, President Trump initiated the military operation on December 25.
WASHINGTON POST: TURKEY IS THE MOST LIKELY STOP
The Washington Post, which is published in the U.S., had previously reported that if Maduro were to consider leaving his country due to increasing pressures, Turkey would be the most likely destination.
Sources close to the White House told the Washington Post, "Turkey is a perfect place for him. He trusts Erdoğan; Erdoğan has good relations with Trump."