TORONTO — The capture of the president of Venezuela by the U.S. military is being heralded by some in Canada as the pathway back to democracy for Venezuela.
U.S. military forces extracted Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their home on a military base in Caracas early Saturday morning in a whirlwind military operation and flew them out of the nation’s capital. The duo, who were sailing on a U.S. warship on Saturday morning, are bound for New York where U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says they will face several drug-related charges, including “narcoterrorism” conspiracy charges. Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were indicted on similar charges in 2020.
In the attack that saw Maduro and Flores taken, multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas. The attack lasted about 30 minutes, featured about seven blasts, and sent several people rushing into the streets.
Toronto-based Venezuelan activist Rebecca Sarfatti said she was caught by surprise early Saturday when several group chats with loved ones in Caracas started buzzing about the operation. The 54-year-old, who has been in Canada since 2001 and is the co-founder of the Canada Venezuela Democracy Forum, said her initial concern for people in Caracas at the outbreak of the attacks has faded into hope for the future of her country.
“I never thought I would live to see something like this or experience something like this,” she said. “I’m definitely happy because (Maduro’s) going to be taken through the courts. The outcome for Venezuelans is the right thing.”
“My hope is that we are able to recover a peaceful country that has been hostage for too many years,” she said.
Despite the possibility of peace on the horizon, news of Maduro’s capture has caused unrest throughout Caracas. Several supporters of Maduro took to the streets.
Sarfatti recognized that many people are in support of Maduro and said she urged her loved ones to stay inside and as the situation unfolds.
It’s not immediately clear what the legal authority is for the Saturday attack. The U.S. does not recognize Maduro as a leader.
In Canada, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre congratulated Trump for capturing Maduro, referring to Maduro as a “terrorist and socialist dictator who should live out his days in prison.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the government is calling on all parties to respect international law after Maduro’s capture.
In a statement posted to social media, Anand says Canada has refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Maduro regime and has opposed its oppression of Venezuelans since 2019, when Canada closed its embassy in the South American country.
She says the government is calling on all parties to “respect international law” as the situation unfolds and that Canada “stand(s) by the people of Venezuela and their desire to live in a peaceful and democratic society.”
The Canadian government issued a travel warning Saturday afternoon urging all Canadians to avoid Venezuela due to the “significant” level of violent crime, unstable political and economic environment, risk of arbitrary detention and decline in basic living conditions.
The advisory said Canada’s ability to provide consular services to Canadians in Venezuela is “severely limited and done remotely.” It urged those who were in the country to shelter in place and make sure to keep a supply of essential items.
Anand says Canada is ready to help Canadians in need through consular officials and its embassy in Bogota, Colombia.
The Canadian Press has reached out to Global Affairs Canada to confirm whether they have seen requests for aid.
— with files from The Associated Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2026.
Cassidy McMackon, The Canadian Press
