On January 3, 2026, the United States carried out a large-scale military operation inside Venezuela, striking multiple sites including key military installations in Caracas and other regions. In a statement on social media, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been “captured” and flown out of the country following the assault.
According to the U.S. government, precision strikes targeted strategic sites early Saturday morning, with explosions heard across the Venezuelan capital. The operation marked a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Caracas after years of political conflict, sanctions, and accusations of corruption, narcotrafficking, and human rights abuses against Maduro’s government.
Trump described the mission as a successful military achievement, saying it was conducted in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement and intended to bring Maduro to justice for alleged criminal charges the U.S. has leveled against him.
The Venezuelan government condemned the attack as a “criminal act of military aggression”, declaring a national state of emergency and calling for unity in the face of what it called imperialist intervention. Officials demanded proof of life for Maduro and his wife, with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez saying there has been no independent confirmation of his whereabouts.
International reactions have been mixed: while some governments urged calm and de-escalation, others framed the operation as a dramatic new chapter in U.S.–Latin American relations. Spain and other European countries called for restraint, while leaders such as Argentina’s Javier Milei publicly supported the U.S. action.
Details remain fluid, including independent verification of Maduro’s detention and legal status. U.S. forces have not yet released full operational details, and Venezuelan state media has challenged aspects of the U.S. narrative. The situation continues to evolve rapidly.