U.S. military strikes hit multiple locations in Venezuela early January 3, 2026, triggering explosions, power disruptions, and widespread confusion in and around the capital, Caracas. Shortly after the operation, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and removed them from the country.
According to Trump and U.S. officials aligned with the operation, the strikes were part of acoordinated mission targeting Venezuelan military and security infrastructure. Trump claimed that Maduro was detained during the operation and placed into U.S. custody, where he is expected to face long-standing criminal charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. These allegations have been made by the United States for years and have consistently been denied by the Venezuelan government.
While explosions and military activity in Caracas have been independently confirmed through eyewitness accounts, videos, and international reporting, Maduro’s capture itself has not yet been independently verified. Venezuelan authorities have condemned the strikes as an act of aggression and say they have not received proof of Maduro’s detention or information confirming his location. Senior Venezuelan officials have demanded evidence that the president is alive and in U.S. custody.
The operation has drawn intense international reaction. Several governments and regional organizations have expressed concern about the use of force against a sitting head of state, warning that the action could violate international law and further destabilize Latin America. Others have urged restraint and called for transparency as more details emerge.
The United States argues that the action was necessary after years of sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and legal actions failed to remove Maduro from power amid Venezuela’s prolonged political and economic crisis. Venezuela, meanwhile, maintains that the operation represents a violation of its sovereignty and has accused the U.S. of attempting regime change through military force.
As of now, key questions remain unresolved, including Maduro’s confirmed whereabouts, the legal basis for his alleged detention, and how Venezuela’s military and political leadership will respond. With independent verification still pending, the situation continues to develop and is being closely monitored by governments and observers around the world.
— Written by Oussama El hilali
