Which US warship initially held Maduro and his wife after the January 2026 capture before they were flown to New York?

Following their capture in January 2026, Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were initially held aboard the USS Iwo Jima, a United States Navy amphibious assault ship. The dramatic overnight operation, codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve," saw US forces apprehend the couple from their compound in Caracas before transporting them by helicopter to the waiting warship. From there, they were transferred to New York City to face federal charges related to narco-terrorism.

The USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) is a Wasp-class "big deck" amphibious assault ship, known for its ability to carry a significant contingent of Marines, helicopters, and jets, effectively operating as a mini aircraft carrier. It had been deployed to the Caribbean since August 2025 as part of "Operation Southern Spear," a broader US military buildup focused on counternarcotics operations against Venezuelan drug cartels. This powerful warship provided the ideal platform for the secure exfiltration of high-profile detainees like Maduro and Flores.

The capture of Maduro and his wife was the culmination of a prolonged US pressure campaign, with the Justice Department having maintained a multimillion-dollar bounty and a most-wanted listing for Maduro for years. He faced charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy, with US officials alleging he leveraged government power to protect and promote illegal drug trafficking. The swift operation, which involved approximately 150 American aircraft, aimed to bring Maduro to justice and marked a significant escalation in US actions against the Venezuelan government.