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Zelenskyy Reacts to Maduro’s Capture: “US Knows What to Do Next”
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the United States’ recent operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, suggesting the action sends a broader signal to authoritarian governments.
During a press briefing on January 3 following meetings with national security advisors from partner countries, Zelenskyy was asked about the US mission, in which special forces reportedly detained Maduro and transferred him to US territory.
⚡️ Zelenskyy reacted to reports that the United States detained Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) January 3, 2026
“If dictators can be dealt with like this, the U.S. knows what to do next,” he said. pic.twitter.com/s3rAfoSWOd
Zelenskyy replied, “If it is possible to deal with dictators this way, then the United States of America knows what to do next.” Though he did not mention any country by name, the remark has been widely interpreted as an indirect reference to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
The Ukrainian president’s statement was made in response to journalists’ questions during the joint briefing. The quote has since been circulated across Ukrainian media outlets, interpreted as a thinly veiled signal about Ukraine’s position on authoritarianism in the context of its ongoing war with Russia.
As previously reported, on the night of January 2–3, the United States launched a large-scale military operation in Caracas.
The effort involved around 150 aircraft, naval forces, drones, and CIA operatives. President Donald Trump confirmed the mission early on January 3, stating that Maduro had been taken into custody.
Explosions were reported in several parts of the capital, including near Fort Tiuna and the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base.
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