America Vs Venezuela

U.S. Launches Major Military Operation in Venezuela

The United States has carried out a large-scale military strike inside Venezuela, including bombardments near the capital Caracas and other locations early today. Explosions and smoke were reported across the city, and flights of military aircraft were observed over Venezuelan airspace. �

Trump Says Maduro and His Wife Captured

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores have been captured by U.S. forces and flown out of the country. Trump described the operation as successful and said the U.S. will now be involved in governing Venezuela “for now.” �

Most Direct U.S. Action in Latin America in Decades

According to Reuters, Trump said this intervention is the most direct U.S. military action in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama. The legal basis and U.S. congressional authorization for the strike remain unclear. �

Venezuela Declares National Emergency

The Venezuelan government has condemned the strikes as unlawful military aggression. Reports indicate that Caracas declared a state of emergency, and there are conflicting claims about casualties, with both civilian and military casualties mentioned by various sources. �

International Reactions and Regional Impact

World reactions are unfolding, with some governments condemning the intervention and calling for restraint. International bodies and neighboring countries are urging diplomatic solutions to avoid wider regional instability.

U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela:

The United States launched a major military operation inside Venezuela early Saturday, January 3, 2026, involving air strikes and special forces actions in and around the capital, Caracas. U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were successfully captured and taken out of the country. Trump said this intervention is part of a broader campaign to remove Maduro’s government and will involve U.S. oversight of Venezuela “until a transition” is possible. �

Venezuela’s Response

The Maduro government has strongly condemned the military action, labeling it illegal aggression and insisting Venezuela’s sovereignty must be respected. Caracas declared a national emergency, mobilized defenses, and rejected U.S. claims about how the operation unfolded. �

Reuters

Official Venezuelan sources say the nation will continue to resist and that local forces remain prepared for all possible outcomes. �

U.S. Government Statements

According to U.S. authorities, the operation was part of a long-planned effort that combined military strikes on alleged drug trafficking infrastructure with a special forces mission to apprehend Maduro. The U.S. president framed the strike as a necessary measure to stabilize the country and address longstanding security concerns, including alleged narcotics trafficking. �

Regional and International Reactions Evolving

World leaders and governments have been issuing statements following these events. While some U.S. allies have cautiously supported aspects of the operation, many countries have condemned the attack as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and international law. Latin American nations, in particular, expressed deep concern about potential impacts on regional stability.

What’s Happening Now

Explosions and military aircraft activity were widely reported over Caracas during the early hours of the operation.

President Trump asserts U.S. control will guide Venezuela’s transition until a new political order is established.

Venezuela’s government rejects all U.S. claims and calls for diplomatic intervention from global institutions.

International responses are rapidly emerging, including calls for urgent U.N. Security Council discussions. �

U.S. Military Strikes Venezuela, Maduro Captured:

U.S. Launches Major Military Operation

The United States carried out a large-scale military strike in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, targeting Caracas and other strategic locations. Explosions and low-flying aircraft were widely reported in the capital early Saturday morning, sparking alarm across the region. �

Maduro and His Wife Captured

President Donald Trump publicly announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces and flown out of the country. Trump said this step was part of a broader objective to remove what he called Maduro’s “narco-terrorist” regime and begin a transition in Venezuela. �

U.S. to Temporarily Govern Venezuela

Trump stated that the United States would temporarily “run” Venezuela until a “safe and judicious transition” to a new government can be achieved. He linked the operation to confronting drug trafficking and restoring stability in the region. �

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Global Condemnation and Political Reactions

Leaders and political groups worldwide have responded strongly:

International allies of Venezuela, including leaders from Brazil and China, have condemned the U.S. military action as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. �

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Some Western countries and regional blocs have called for restraint and a diplomatic solution. �

PBS

Venezuela’s Response

Although U.S. authorities claim Maduro was captured, Venezuelan officials have strongly rejected this characterization and declared a national emergency in response to what they call “military aggression.” �

Human Impact and Security Measures

Residents of Caracas and nearby areas reported multiple explosions and disruptions to electricity and communications. The Venezuelan government ordered mobilization of national defense plans and urged citizens to resist what it called U.S. imperial aggression. �

Legal and International Concerns

Legal experts and international observers have raised questions about the legality of the U.S. military intervention under global law, noting that actions against another sovereign state without UN approval are widely regarded as violations of the United Nations Charter. �