CARACAS / WASHINGTON (January 3, 2026) — The United States carried out a military operation against targets in Venezuela in the past hours, marking an unprecedented escalation in bilateral relations, while U.S. President Donald Trump publicly claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and removed from the country. Trump’s statement, released through social media, came after reports of loud explosions, aircraft activity, and power outages in parts of Caracas and other regions, according to witnesses and journalists cited by international news agencies.
According to the White House’s version, the operation was conducted by U.S. forces and resulted in the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump stated that both were flown out of Venezuela and placed under U.S. custody, although he did not specify their location or provide immediate evidence confirming the capture. Reuters and the Associated Press emphasized that, as of now, there is no independent verification confirming the Venezuelan leader’s whereabouts or fully substantiating the U.S. president’s claim.
In Caracas, residents reported multiple explosions during the early morning hours, along with unusual aerial activity over the capital. Photos and videos circulating on social media, verified by news agencies, showed power outages and heightened military presence around strategic locations. Venezuelan authorities acknowledged security incidents but did not release an official assessment of damage or casualties, stating that information was still being compiled.
Venezuela’s Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino López, described the action as a “foreign aggression” and said the country’s armed forces would resist any external military presence on national territory. In statements reported by Reuters, he said Venezuela was on “maximum alert” and denounced what he called a direct violation of the country’s sovereignty, while neither confirming nor denying the alleged capture of the president.
From within the Venezuelan government, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said there was no official confirmation regarding Maduro’s whereabouts and demanded that the United States present verifiable proof. The Venezuelan executive branch argued that Washington’s claims were part of a “psychological operation” and called on the international community to respond to what it considers an illegal military attack on a sovereign state.
In the United States, Trump’s assertion triggered immediate political and institutional reactions. Lawmakers from both parties called for explanations regarding the legal scope of the operation and whether Congress authorized the use of military force. According to AP, constitutional experts noted that an action of this magnitude could spark a domestic debate over the limits of presidential authority in foreign policy and military engagement.
The operation follows years of strained relations between Washington and Caracas, characterized by economic sanctions, drug trafficking accusations against senior Venezuelan officials, and U.S. rewards offered for Maduro’s capture. Reuters notes that the U.S. government has repeatedly accused the Venezuelan president of leading criminal networks, allegations consistently rejected by Caracas as politically motivated.
Across the region, several Latin American governments expressed concern about a potential escalation of the conflict. Colombia reinforced security along its border with Venezuela amid fears of a renewed migrant influx, while other countries called for urgent discussions within multilateral organizations. Traditional allies of Caracas, including Cuba and Russia, condemned the U.S. action and warned of its implications for regional stability, according to international agency reports.
The United Nations said it is closely monitoring developments and urged restraint, reiterating the importance of respecting international law and state sovereignty. Although no formal Security Council session has been announced, diplomats quoted by AP indicated that pressure for an emergency meeting is growing.
Inside Venezuela, the political situation remains highly uncertain. With conflicting accounts about the president’s status and no direct official communication from Maduro, various sectors of the state are assessing constitutional scenarios to ensure institutional continuity. Analysts cited by Reuters warn that the country could face hours or days of heightened instability, depending on whether the president’s capture is ultimately confirmed.
For now, available information remains fragmented. While the United States maintains that it achieved a central objective of its Venezuela policy, the Venezuelan government denies the legitimacy of the operation and questions the accuracy of Washington’s claims. The coming hours will be critical in confirming the facts and assessing the political, military, and diplomatic impact of an episode already shaping up to be one of the most serious in the region’s recent history.
With information from Reuters and The Associated Press
