US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States carried out a major military operation against Venezuela early Saturday, January 3, 2026, saying that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country after a “large-scale strike.”
Trump claimed in a post on his Truth Social platform, adding that the strike was conducted in conjunction with US law enforcement and that more details would be provided at a press conference scheduled in the United States.
Explosions and reports of low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas and other regions as the reported attacks unfolded, prompting the Venezuelan government to accuse the United States of military aggression and declare a national emergency.
Venezuelan authorities rejected the strikes, describing them as an assault on the country’s sovereignty, and called on citizens to mobilise in response.
As of now, independent verification from Venezuelan officials or on-the-ground confirmation of Maduro’s capture and removal from the country remains limited. International reactions and further details are still developing.
