Trump described the operation as remarkably well executed and hinted that the United States will play a significant role in Venezuela’s future, including its oil industry.
The United States launched a large-scale military strike on Venezuela early Saturday, with explosions reported in the capital Caracas and surrounding areas, and U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been captured and flown out of the country.
According to Trump’s post on his social media platform, the strikes were “successful” and carried out in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement, with Maduro and Flores taken to an undisclosed location outside Venezuela.
Multiple explosions were heard in the early hours, and videos circulating online showed plumes of smoke above military sites including Fuerte Tiuna and the La Carlota airbase in Caracas. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily banned U.S. flights over Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity.
Venezuelan Government Denounces Attack
The Venezuelan government condemned the actions as “military aggression” and an “imperialist attack” on the nation’s sovereign territory, reporting that both civilian and military locations were hit during the operation. Caracas authorities also declared a national emergency and called on citizens to resist what they described as a foreign assault.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, under Venezuelan law next in line for leadership, stated that Maduro’s whereabouts were not independently verified and demanded proof of life for the president and first lady.
| SUMMARY |
| 1. The United States carried out military strikes in Venezuela early on January 3, 2026. |
| 2. Explosions were reported in Caraca, including near major military installations. |
| 3. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured during the operation. |
| 4. Venezuela condemned the strikes, declared a state of emergency, and questioned the capture claim. |
| 5. International concern grew, while details on casualties and damage remain unclear. |
U.S. Rationale and Reactions
President Trump and U.S. officials have previously accused the Maduro government of involvement in narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities. The move appears to be the culmination of months of escalating pressure, including sanctions on Venezuelan oil companies and military actions in the region.
Trump described the operation as remarkably well executed and hinted that the United States will play a significant role in Venezuela’s future, including its oil industry.
The strike has drawn widespread international criticism, with several nations denouncing the military action as a violation of international law and a dangerous precedent. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called the intervention an “unacceptable line crossed,” while Russia and other countries condemned the attack as aggression against Venezuela.
Unresolved Questions
Despite official statements, key details remain unclear: independent verification of Maduro’s capture is pending, and reports on casualties or broader military engagement on the ground have not been confirmed. It is also uncertain who is effectively governing Venezuela at the moment, and how Maduro’s removal, if confirmed, will impact regional stability.
