US forces conducted a brief special operations raid on January 3, 2026, capturing Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas under Operation Absolute Resolve as part of a broader pressure campaign focused on drug trafficking designations and naval interdictions. The limited strike involved targeted airstrikes on air defenses and infrastructure but concluded rapidly with few US casualties and no sustained ground presence. Venezuela’s interim authorities under Delcy Rodríguez assumed power, and the United States re-established diplomatic relations in March 2026, reopening its embassy and shifting toward engagement on stability and energy issues. Trader assessments of any renewed entry hinge on whether political transition timelines, oil sector negotiations, or regional security developments prompt further US military involvement before the market resolution date.