U.S. Soldier arrested in $400K Nicolás Maduro capture betting scandal

Nicolás Maduro is seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad, escorted by heavily armed federal agents as they make their way into an armored car en route to a federal courthouse in Manhattan on Jan. 5, 2026 in New York City. (XNY/Star Max/GC Images via Getty Images)

A major international controversy has erupted following the dramatic capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, as U.S. authorities charge a special forces soldier with profiting from classified intelligence tied to the covert mission. The case has intensified scrutiny on both the operation itself and the growing influence of prediction markets, after prosecutors alleged that sensitive … Read more