The US military conducted airstrikes and a targeted operation in Venezuela in January 2026 that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, framed by the administration as enforcement against narco-terrorism and drug trafficking rather than a formal interstate conflict. No congressional declaration of war has occurred, consistent with the pattern of executive-directed actions supported by prior naval and air pressure campaigns. The Senate advanced a resolution requiring explicit authorization for further operations but fell short of a veto-proof majority. Ongoing factors include the interim Venezuelan leadership under a declared state of emergency, US sanctions enforcement, and diplomatic pushback from regional and international bodies that could influence whether Congress moves toward a formal war declaration in the coming months.