Which World Leaders Has the US Arrested in the Past? It is a pertinent question owing to the continuous US involvement in global affairs. It may also be interesting that it is not the first time that US has captured a foreign leader of a nation. In fact, the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has just added him to a short list of world leaders who have been detained by the United States previously.
The United States invaded Venezuela on January 3, 2026 and the US Delta Force captured Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife from their presidential palace. Well, there are claims that the US-Venezuela conflict has become one of the most complicated geopolitical flashpoints in Latin America. Since it became public, there has been ample analysis by scholars, policymakers, and civil society actors on the causes, motives, and global implications of this conflict. Still, the actual impact is yet to be seen. Moreover, we must remember that US has reached this level of attempts in the past too.
Trump said at a news briefing that under his direction, the US military carried out an extraordinary operation in Venezuela, involving several planes and helicopters. The operation was secretly prepared in early December, and other attacks are also being prepared. US President Donald Trump said that Maduro and his wife were arrested in their bedroom and brought to New York. Now they will be tried in the United States on drug and terrorism charges. With this arrest, Maduro joined the list of world leaders who have been detained by the United States.
Historically, the United States has arrested very few world leaders, but these incidents have often proven to have major political and regional implications.
Which world leaders has the US arrested before Maduro?
1: Manuel Noriega (Panama)
In 1989, US forces invaded Panama and captured former military ruler Manuel Noriega, a one-time US ally. Manuel Noriega was arrested on drug trafficking charges. He was taken to Miami, tried there and later imprisoned.
He later died in a Panamanian prison in 2017.
2: Saddam Hussein (Iraq)
The US arrested former President Saddam Hussein in Iraq in December 2003. This arrest came nine months after the US-led invasion of Iraq. The US and its allies claimed that Saddam Hussein possessed chemical and possibly nuclear weapons, which were a threat to global security.
This claim was never proven, but an Iraqi court later tried Saddam Hussein and he was executed in 2006.
3: Juan Orlando Hernandez (Honduras)
Juan Orlando Hernandez, the former president of the Latin American country of Honduras, was also extradited to the United States in 2022 on drug and corruption charges.
Although Trump controversially pardoned him in late 2025.
Main Causes of the US Venezuela Conflict
In order to understand the current impasse, we must unwind the main causes at play:
Oil & Energy Resources
Venezuela possesses one of the largest proven reserves of oil in the world. The say over its energy sector gives it tremendous economic leverage — and it makes it a strategic target to exert pressure. US worries about stable supply, energy markets, and influence over pricing of oil are all part of its policy toward Caracas.
Ideology & Political Governance
The ideological divide between the populist/socialist regime in Venezuela and the liberal democratic norms held by many in Washington influences the way each sees the other. Issues of human rights, democratic elections, and governance have become rallying points of opposition to US policy.
Regional Influence & Sphere of Influence
Latin America has long been a region of geo-strategic importance. US officials view Venezuela both as a representation of and as a potential lever for influence — whether it be through migration policy, regional security cooperation, or a bloc element (i.e. OAS or UN).
Financial Catastrophe & Humanitarian Aspects
The collapse of Venezuela’s economy has observed mass migration, internal displacement, even food and medicine scarcity. The U.S. characterizes part of its intervention as humanitarian or moral, though detractors claim that certain actions serve a more focused geopolitical purpose.
Additional Actors & Alliances
The conflict does not occur in a vacuum. Russia, China, Cuba, Iran, and other states take supporting roles for the Maduro government —be it economic, diplomatic, or military. This creates added layers of competition with U.S. global strategy.
Venezuela: Just Another Nation
In all this talk, Venezuela is just another nation who faced this gruesome fate. Previously, Iraq, Honduras and Panama have faced a similar situation. Their leaders were formally removed from their office through an intervention of the United States. In fact, Venezuela is fourth in the list apart from Iraq, Honduras and Panama who have seen dethroning of their Head of the State or Government through a foreign intervention. Interestingly, the same technique was adopted under imperialism also. The head of the state or the government was disgracefully removed from office by the invading army. Are we returning to imperialism, again?
