**Breaking: US’s Trump Strikes Venezuela—Claims President Maduro Was Captured And Flown Out Of Country**
*By FXStreet News Team*
Amid the persistent political standoff in Venezuela, global financial markets were shaken on January 3, 2026, when reports surfaced that US President Donald Trump had confirmed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured and flown out of the country. The extraordinary development, which unfolded rapidly, is expected to have significant implications for the Forex market along with broader geopolitical ramifications.
Below, we delve into the sequence of the events, the immediate impact on major currency pairs, possible future scenarios, and the broader market outlook in light of these breaking developments.
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## Timeline of Events Leading Up to Maduro’s Removal
– **Escalating Political Tension:** Since early 2019, Venezuela has been at the center of an intense political crisis. The United States, together with several Latin American and European countries, recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate interim president, challenging Maduro’s claim to power.
– **International Sanctions and Pressure:** The US administration, under President Trump, imposed layers of sanctions targeting Maduro’s regime, focusing in particular on oil exports and financial transactions in an effort to economically isolate the government.
– **Military Maneuvers:** Sporadic rumors and reports over recent years hinted at covert support to opposition groups and possible clandestine operations, but until today, no public direct intervention was confirmed.
– **January 3, 2026—Breaking News:** In a stunning announcement, President Trump stated that Nicolás Maduro had been captured, though the circumstances behind the capture remain unclear. He further specified that Maduro was safely flown out, but declined to provide details on the destination or whether extradition or asylum arrangements were in place.
– **Statements from Key Stakeholders:** The US State Department, members of the opposition, and regional allies issued statements welcoming the development, while Russia, China, and Iran—long-time Maduro supporters—condemned any action perceived as US interventionism.
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## Forex Market Reaction
The immediate aftermath of the announcement triggered pronounced volatility across global foreign exchange markets. Currency traders responded dynamically as risk appetites shifted and safe haven demand fluctuated:
### US Dollar (USD)
– **Initial Surge:** The USD experienced a brief surge against Latin American currencies, as the perceived removal of a destabilizing regional figure spurred an inflow into US assets.
– **Subsequent Correction:** Following the initial spike, market participants reassessed the likelihood of prolonged instability, especially if a power vacuum or violent resistance were to manifest. The DXY (US Dollar Index) trimmed gains by early afternoon trading.
### Venezuelan Bolívar (VES)
– **Volatility Spike:** The Venezuelan Bolívar, already battered by hyperinflation and capital controls, saw a rollercoaster of trades on unofficial markets. Speculators bet on either a collapse on fears of further chaos or a long-term appreciation if a stable transition could be engineered.
– **Parallel Market Trading:** With formal exchange mechanisms all but defunct in Venezuela, parallel rates reportedly fluctuated wildly.
### Latin American Currency Pairs
– **Mexican Peso (MXN):** The MXN initially weakened on contagion fears but rebounded as traders differentiated Mexico’s more stable, diversified economy from Venezuela’s oil dependency.
– **Brazilian Real (BRL):** Similar patterns were observed, with short-term weakness followed by stabilization.
– **Colombian Peso (COP):** The COP, closely correlated to Venezuelan risks due to proximity and refugee flows, saw heightened volatility.
### Major Global Safe Havens
– **Japanese Yen (JPY) and Swiss Franc (CHF):** A moderate bid into traditional safe haven currencies was observed in early European and US trading, though the moves remained contained as further clarity was awaited.
– **Gold (XAU):** Spot gold rose modestly, tracking risk-off sentiment.
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## Potential Scenarios For The
Read more on GBP/USD trading.