List of Presidents Captured by U.S. Military: From Noriega to Maduro

Capturing a sitting head of state is one of the rarest and most controversial actions in international relations. Throughout history, the United States has only occasionally detained, removed, or extradited foreign leaders under military or allied authority. These operations often involve complex legal, political, and security considerations, making them highly consequential globally.

List of Presidents captured by the U.S Military

1. Nicolás Maduro — Venezuela (2026)

In January 2026, U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a military operation in Caracas. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into U.S. custody to face charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking. This operation marked an unprecedented instance of a sitting president being seized by U.S. forces on foreign soil, drawing strong condemnation from Venezuela and international observers who labeled it a breach of sovereignty.

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2. Manuel Noriega — Panama (1990)

A historically notable case occurred in Panama with military ruler Manuel Noriega. Following the December 1989 Operation Just Cause, U.S. forces invaded Panama, citing the protection of U.S. citizens, safeguarding the Panama Canal treaty, and countering drug trafficking networks. Noriega surrendered to U.S. troops on January 3, 1990, and was transported to the United States for trial, where he was convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering.

3. Saddam Hussein — Iraq (2003)

During the Iraq War, former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces near Tikrit on December 13, 2003. Hussein had been in hiding since the fall of Baghdad. After his capture, he was handed over to Iraqi authorities, tried for crimes against humanity, and executed in 2006. His capture was a defining moment in the Iraq War and symbolized the collapse of Saddam’s regime.

4. Jean‑Bertrand Aristide — Haiti (2004)

Haitian President Jean‑Bertrand Aristide was removed from power on February 29, 2004, with the assistance of U.S. military forces. Aristide was flown out of Haiti under the guise of a “protective evacuation,” though he later described it as a forcible removal. He lived in exile before returning to Haiti in 2011. This case remains controversial and is often cited as an example of U.S. intervention in the leadership of another sovereign nation.

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5. Juan Orlando Hernández — Honduras (2022)

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was arrested in Tegucigalpa shortly after leaving office and extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges. While not captured on a battlefield, his arrest involved close U.S. law enforcement and military coordination, reflecting the ongoing role of U.S. authorities in high-profile international prosecutions.

Key Observations

While the U.S. has targeted or removed several leaders, it is crucial to distinguish between direct military captures, extraditions with local cooperation, and military-assisted removals. Only in rare cases, like Maduro, Noriega, and Saddam Hussein, has U.S. military force directly apprehended a head of state. Other cases, such as Aristide or Hernández, involve combinations of political, legal, and military influence.