A US senator has said President Nicolás Maduro was offered exile in Turkey before his capture, supporting media reports that Washington gave the Venezuelan leader a chance to step aside ahead of a US military operation.
US Senator Lindsey Graham said that Maduro “could be in Turkey today, but he’s in New York,” echoing reports that Maduro had been offered a way out through a gilded exile but instead chose defiance and now faces US justice.
Graham made the statement aboard Air Force One with President Donald Trump, who nodded in agreement. “Maduro has no one to blame but himself. Trump gave him a way out. He chose to defy Trump and the US military. Now he’s in prison where he belongs,” Graham said.
Graham’s remarks echo reporting by The New York Times, which cited American and Venezuelan officials involved in backchannel negotiations. According to the Times, the Trump administration delivered an ultimatum to Maduro around December 23, proposing that he relinquish power and accept exile in Turkey. Maduro rejected the proposal, leading Trump to authorize the military intervention on December 25.
The Washington Post also reported in late November that Turkey emerged as the most plausible refuge for Maduro if he chose to leave Caracas under growing US pressure, including a major American military buildup in the Caribbean.
US forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a pre-dawn raid on January 3 codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve.”
The operation lasted approximately two hours and 20 minutes, with more than 150 aircraft and drones launching from about 20 bases and warships to support special operations forces, according to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
The couple arrived in New York later that day and face charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy and possession of machine guns and destructive devices intended for use against American interests.
Ankara’s measured response
Turkey’s official response has been notably restrained despite years of close ties between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Maduro. Erdoğan has publicly referred to Maduro as “brother” and expressed strong solidarity with Venezuela, including after a 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, when Maduro was among the first foreign leaders to support Erdoğan. The two countries have maintained strong cooperation in energy and trade.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement on January 3 saying Ankara is “closely following the recent developments in Venezuela.”
“Turkey attaches importance to the stability of Venezuela and to the peace and well-being of the Venezuelan people,” the ministry said. “We call on all parties to act with restraint in order to prevent the current situation from leading to adverse consequences for regional and international security.”
The ministry added that Turkey “stands ready to provide any constructive contribution towards resolving the crisis within the framework of international law.” It also noted that the Turkish Embassy in Caracas is maintaining uninterrupted communication and coordination with Turkish citizens in the country.
The statement did not condemn the US operation or demand Maduro’s release. Erdoğan himself has not commented publicly on the capture, attracting criticism from opposition figures who noted his past vocal support for Maduro.
International reactions
The operation drew sharply divided international responses. Russia called the strikes “an act of armed aggression” and urged Maduro’s immediate release. China said it was “deeply shocked” and condemned what it called “hegemonic acts” that “seriously violate international law.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed “deep alarm,” warning that the action sets “a dangerous precedent.” Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the capture crossed “an unacceptable line.”
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “gravely concerned” by the US intervention and called for a peaceful resolution in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
Some governments welcomed the operation. Israel commended what it called action by “the leader of the free world,” while Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Maduro’s removal “offers new hope” for Venezuela.
Maduro was indicted by the US Justice Department in 2020 on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. Washington has accused his administration of flooding the United States with hundreds of tons of cocaine through partnerships with Colombian guerrillas. Maduro has denied the allegations.
Venezuela’s political crisis intensified following disputed elections in 2018 and 2024, which opposition groups and many Western governments deemed fraudulent. The country’s economic collapse has displaced more than 7 million people.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the presidency following Maduro’s capture. Trump said the US would “run” Venezuela until a transition takes place, though he provided few specifics.
Maduro and Flores are expected to appear in Manhattan federal court today for arraignment.