The reported arrest of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro has drawn global attention, highlighting the rare instances where the United States has detained foreign heads of state. According to reports, US Delta Force conducted a secretive military operation in Caracas, entering Maduro’s presidential palace and arresting him and his wife. Former US President Donald Trump stated that the operation involved multiple aircraft and helicopters and that Maduro and his wife were transferred from their residence to New York to face drug trafficking and terrorism charges. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez condemned the operation as a blatant violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law.
Historically, the United States has only occasionally arrested foreign leaders, but such actions have profound political and regional consequences, making the arrest of Maduro a landmark event in international relations.
Notable Historical Cases of US Arrests
Manuel Noriega – Panama, 1989
One of the most cited cases occurred in 1989 when US forces invaded Panama and arrested former military ruler Manuel Noriega. Once a US ally, Noriega faced drug trafficking charges, was convicted, imprisoned in the United States, and later returned to Panama, where he died in custody in 2017.
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Saddam Hussein – Iraq, 2003
In December 2003, US troops arrested former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein nine months after the Iraq invasion, alleging possession of weapons of mass destruction. Though these claims were never proven, Saddam was tried by an Iraqi court and executed in 2006.
Juan Orlando Hernández – Honduras, 2022
Former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández was arrested in 2022 on drug trafficking and corruption charges and extradited to the United States. He received a controversial pardon in late 2025, sparking criticism over selective justice in US foreign policy.
Also Read: Trump claims US operation arrested Venezuela’s President Maduro
Renewed Scrutiny Following Maduro Arrest
Analysts say the arrest of President Maduro marks a new chapter in US military interventions targeting foreign leaders. Critics argue such actions undermine international law and destabilize regions already facing political crises. Historically, the United States has also been accused of supporting assassination attempts and covert operations against unfriendly governments, particularly in Latin America. The Maduro arrest has reignited global debate over accountability, legality, and the limits of US intervention abroad.
