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6 claims about Maduro after US capture, investigated

6 claims about Maduro after US capture, investigated

Claims spread widely online about the Venezuelan president in the days after his capture. Here are a few we've unpacked.

January 07, 2026

After news broke that the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday, claims began widely spreading across social media.

Since then, Snopes has been busy breaking down the most popular rumors. We've fact-checked an alleged photo of Maduro taken after his capture. We also inspected a claim that ex-Venezuelan spy chief Hugo Carvajal released a list of U.S. senators who took kickbacks from Maduro's government and drug traffickers.

Have you seen a suspicious rumor spreading about Maduro? Use our contact form to alert our newsroom. We'll do our best to look into it.

A Latino wearing a dark blue suit is pictured next to a large white building. A yellow, blue and red flag with some white stars can be seen faintly behind the images.

Did ex-Venezuelan spy chief Hugo Carvajal release list of US senators who took kickbacks? What we know

Carvajal reportedly alleged that U.S. diplomats and CIA officers were paid to help keep Maduro in power, but he didn't name specific politicians.

A woman wearing a red jacket is surrounded by two people on either side. A chyron at the bottom says, "PROTESTORS GATHER IN RESPONSE TO U.S> ATTACK IN VENEZUELA."

Police arrested protester during interview about US action in Venezuela. Here's context

Jessica Plichta, 22, reportedly said she was one of 200 people who marched in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday.

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As we continue to inspect rumors spreading after the U.S. capture of Maduro, we need your help to keep doing this work. Members like you make our independent fact-checking possible. We appreciate any support you can give.

An image shows two men. On the left, a Black man stands at a podium while a Latino pictured on his right speaks into a microphone.

Did Hakeem Jeffries attempt to contact Venezuela's Maduro prior to his capture? Not so fast

According to users' social media posts, Newsmax reported about the House minority leader's alleged attempt to reach the Venezuelan president.

A Latina sitting down wearing a red and black jacket and glasses smiles while looking forward.

Investigating claim Venezuela's Delcy Rodríguez fled to Russia after Maduro's capture

Posts citing Reuters claimed that Rodríguez fled to Russia. Later reporting and denials complicated the story.

A Latino is held by two people wearing uniforms who have their faces blurred. The uniform of the person on the right says "DEA." Two people anda. plane can be seen behind them. A date in the right corner says "JAN 3 2026."

Don't fall for this photo of Maduro being escorted by DEA officers

AI-generated images allegedly showing the Venezuelan president in custody spread online after his capture.

Two white men and a Latino are pictured in front of a document that has text highlighted. The two men appear to be looking slightly to the right, while the Latino appears to be speaking into a microphone.

Did former Trump adviser once speak of 'strange swap arrangement' involving Venezuela and Ukraine?

Fiona Hill said Russian officials had suggested a "swap arrangement" based on the principles of the Monroe Doctrine.