US Strikes Venezuela : The world woke to one of the most shocking geopolitical developments in recent memory: the United States launched a large-scale military operation inside Venezuela, resulting in the reported capture and extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
President Donald Trump made the stunning announcement directly on Truth Social:
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolás Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow.”
The post, timestamped in the pre-dawn darkness, confirmed what eyewitnesses in Caracas had already begun sharing: explosions rocked key military installations, including the massive Fuerte Tiuna complex and La Carlota airbase, accompanied by low-flying aircraft and widespread power outages.
US Strikes Venezuela : Timeline of the Night’s Events
The operation unfolded rapidly:
- Around 2:00 a.m. local time, multiple blasts were heard across Caracas.
- Fires broke out at strategic military sites, with smoke visible from several neighborhoods.
- U.S. special operations forces — reportedly including Delta Force and supported by elite aviation units — executed the ground raid to apprehend Maduro.
- Within hours, Trump declared the mission a success, with Maduro and Flores reportedly airborne and en route out of the country.
U.S. officials later indicated that Maduro would face trial in New York on long-standing narco-terrorism charges, including his alleged leadership of the “Cartel de los Soles.”
This marks the most direct U.S. intervention in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama — and the first time a sitting Latin American president has been captured in such a manner.
Escalation Leading to the Strikes
The Trump administration had steadily intensified pressure on Maduro since mid-2025:
- Designation of the Maduro government-linked network as a foreign terrorist organization.
- A $50 million bounty on Maduro’s head.
- Repeated strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific (over 30 boats destroyed).
- Seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and an effective blockade.
- Deployment of major naval assets, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier group.
The official rationale: combating narco-trafficking and transnational crime. Critics argue it was a prelude to regime change aimed at Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.
Venezuela’s Response and Power Vacuum
US Strikes Venezuela : In Caracas, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez quickly assumed a public leadership role, appearing on state television to demand “immediate proof of life” for Maduro and Flores. The government declared a national state of emergency, condemned the action as “imperialist aggression,” and called for citizens to mobilize in defense of the Bolivarian Revolution.
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López promised a “massive military deployment,” but with Maduro removed, questions loom over the chain of command and whether the armed forces will remain unified.
Global Reactions: A Polarized World
The international community split sharply:
- Condemnation from Russia, Iran, Cuba, and Bolivia — describing it as a violation of sovereignty and “state terrorism.”
- Support from Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who celebrated with his signature phrase: “¡Viva la libertad, carajo!”
- Caution from European nations like Spain (offering mediation), Germany, and Italy (monitoring closely).
- Regional concern — Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro deployed troops to the border and requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
What Happens Next?
US Strikes Venezuela, As President Trump prepares to address the nation from Mar-a-Lago, several uncertainties remain:
- Where exactly is Maduro being held?
- Will this lead to a swift transition, prolonged chaos, or a new U.S.-aligned government?
- How will oil markets and regional stability be affected?
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US Strikes Venezuela : January 3, 2026, may go down as the day the long Venezuelan crisis reached its most explosive climax. Whether it brings a “new dawn” for Venezuela — as U.S. officials claim — or ignites further conflict is still unfolding.
This is a rapidly developing story. Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge from Caracas, Washington, and the international stage.
