United States strikes in Venezuela

On 3 January 2026, the United States launched airstrikes on multiple locations across northern Venezuela, including the capital city of Caracas. It is considered a major escalation of the ongoing conflict in the region.

Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro declared a national state of emergency after the explosions began. The government promised to defend against U.S. military actions which sought regime change. It described then as being "imperialist aggression" and called for the United Nations Security Council to be convened.

At 5:21 a.m. VET, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores had been captured and flown out of the country. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Maduro was arrested and will face criminal charges in the U.S. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that both Maduro and his wife are missing and demanded "proof of life".

President Trump announced that there would be a press conference at 11 a.m EST.

Background

In August 2025, the United States began a buildup in the southern Caribbean, deploying warships and military personnel. In September, the United States Southern Command began conducting military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. alleges that they were conducting drug trafficking on behalf of Venezuela. The actions formed part of Operation Southern Spear, an American military campaign targeting alleged criminal networks aligned with the Venezuelan government of Nicolás Maduro.

In November 2025, the U.S. deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford, and in December began intercepting and seizing oil tankers, imposing a naval quarantine on Venezuela. The U.S. also launched covert operations in Venezuela under the directive of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in late December. Donald Trump had previously announced that the U.S. military would conduct strikes inside Venezuela.

Attack

At least seven explosions were reported at around 2 a.m. VET, and low-flying aircraft were seen, predominantly in La Guaira, Higuerote, Meseta de Mamo, Baruta, El Hatillo, Charallave, and Carmen de Uria, which are mostly inside or near the capital city Caracas.

President Trump had ordered strikes inside Venezuela, including on military facilities.

Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro declared a national state of emergency after the explosions began. The government promised to defend against US military actions which sought regime change. It described then as being "imperialist aggression" and called for the United Nations Security Council to be convened.

Most of the explosions were launched at antennas and active military bases. Early reports suggested that the explosions may have originated from Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda Air Base and Fort Tiuna, two military installations in the area. Large explosions were also reported at Higuerote Airport.

According to the Associated Press, the strikes lasted for half an hour. Smoke was seen rising from one military hangar in a Caracas base, while another was left unpowered. David Smolansky, a spokesman for Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, told CBS News that aside from Fort Tiuna and Miranda Airbase, La Guaira port and antennas in Cerro El Volcán were also hit. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said American combat helicopters fired rockets and missiles in urban areas and they are working to gather information on the number of fatalities and injuries.

After the strikes, Trump posted on Truth Social at 5:21 a.m. VET that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured alongside his wife Cilia Flores, who were reportedly flown out of the country. He also said that a press conference would be held at Mar-a-Lago later in the morning. According to CBS News, the operation targeting Maduro was undertaken by the Delta Force. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed both Maduro and his wife were not in the country and insisted that "immediate proof of life" be given.

Venezuelan opposition sources in Venezuela told Sky News that they believed Maduro's capture was a "negotiated exit" with the United States.

Aftermath

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a NOTAM prohibiting U.S. aircraft from operating at all altitudes within Venezuelan airspace, citing "ongoing military activity". The Embassy of the United States in Caracas issued a shelter in place order. The southern area of Caracas reportedly lost power.

Republican senator Mike Lee claimed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio "anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in U.S. custody."

Aftermath

Venezuela

The Government of Venezuela stated it rejected and denounced the military aggression. It blamed the government of the United States, but did not mention Donald Trump directly. President Maduro declared a state of emergency in response to the incident.

United States

Senator Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned against any US military involvement in Venezuela, posting on X that the United States has "no vital national interests in Venezuela to justify war." Republican senator Mike Lee initially posted to X that he looked "forward to learning what, if anything, might constitutionally justify" the strikes, but after a call with Secretary of State Rubio, said, "This action likely falls under the president's inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack".

International

•  Argentina: President Javier Milei celebrated the capture of Maduro and his wife on social media, saying "liberty advances".
•  Colombia: President Gustavo Petro referred to the explosions as "bombing with missiles" and called for the United Nations and Organization of American States to meet immediately. Petro also called for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
•  Cuba: President and First Secretary of the Communist Party Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced "the criminal attack by the U.S." on Venezuela, and he called for urgent condemnation from the international community for what he described as "State terrorism against the brave Venezuelan people and against Our America."
•  European Union: High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas re-iterated the EU's position that Maduro's government "lacks legitimacy", and called for restraint and respect for international law.
•  Germany: The Federal Foreign Office said it was watching the situation with great concern.
•  Indonesia: Yvonne Mewengkang, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called for de-escalation and dialogue, emphasising "the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter".
•  Iran: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning the US attack on Venezuela, describing it as a blatant violation of the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
•  Italy: Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Rome and its diplomatic representation in Caracas were monitoring the situation.
•  Russia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the strikes, calling them an "act of armed aggression".
•  South Korea: President Lee Jae Myung instructed officials to ensure the protection of South Korean nationals in Venezuela and to prepare evacuation plans in case the situation worsens. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs set up a task force to protect its nationals.
•  Spain: The Foreign Ministry called for "de-escalation and moderation", and for compliance with "international law and the principles of the UN charter" adding that the ministry was "prepared to offer its good offices to achieve a peaceful and negotiated solution". They reiterated that they did not recognize the results of the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election and that Spain "has welcomed, and will continue to welcome, tens of thousands of Venezuelans who have had to leave their country for political reasons."

Legality

The legality of the strikes were questioned by Arizona senator Ruben Gallego, stating on X that "This war is illegal" at the start of the operation. Venezuelan defense minister Vladimir Padrino López also stated that the attacks were illegal.