Archive · 5 Jan 2026
US Captures Maduro After Strikes in Venezuela
Early on January 3, 2026, the United States carried out military strikes in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The strikes, which included at least seven explosions in Caracas and other states, were reported by US media outlets and confirmed by President Donald Trump.
The US accuses Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, while Venezuela denies these allegations and accuses the US of trying to seize its oil reserves and overthrow the government.
The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency and called for international support.
International reactions varied, with some countries condemning the US actions and others calling for de-escalation.
The situation has caused panic among residents and raised international concerns about the potential for further escalation.
At least seven explosions were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, around 2:00 am on January 3, 2026.
The US carried out military strikes in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The Venezuelan government accused the US of military aggression and declared a state of emergency.
Videos showed buildings on fire, smoke rising from military bases, and low-flying aircraft.
The US has been targeting alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and has a major military presence in the region.
- Who
- United States and Venezuela
- What
- US military strikes in Venezuela leading to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro
- When
- Early morning of January 3, 2026
- Where
- Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira in Venezuela
- Why
- US accuses Maduro of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking; Venezuela accuses the US of attempting to seize its oil reserves and overthrow the government
US Perspective
Venezuela Perspective
Reason for Attacks
US Perspective
The US accuses Maduro of narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, claiming the strikes were necessary to capture him and disrupt drug operations.
Venezuela Perspective
Venezuela denies involvement in drug trafficking and accuses the US of attempting to seize its oil reserves and overthrow the government.
Legitimacy of Actions
US Perspective
The US justifies the strikes as part of an armed conflict with drug cartels and a necessary measure to protect national security.
Venezuela Perspective
Venezuela condemns the US actions as an imperialist attack and a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
International Reactions
US Perspective
The US expects international support for its actions, framing them as a fight against global drug trafficking and terrorism.
Venezuela Perspective
Venezuela's allies, including Russia, Iran, and Cuba, condemn the US strikes as unlawful aggression and call for international intervention.
- Date
- January 3, 2026
- Time of Explosions
- Around 2:00 am local time
- Number of Explosions
- At least seven
- Locations Affected
- Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, La Guaira
- US Involvement Confirmed
- By CBS News and Fox News
- Venezuelan Response
- Declared a state of emergency and called for international support
- US Military Presence
- Major buildup in the Caribbean, including an aircraft carrier and advanced fighter jets
- US Strikes on Boats
- 35 strikes, 115 people killed
- Maduro's Capture
- Captured by US Delta Force and flown out of the country
- International Reactions
- Condemnation from Russia, Iran, Cuba, and support for de-escalation from Spain and Colombia
Sources
US Strikes Venezuela LIVE Updates: Maduro Declares National Emergency Amid US 'Military Aggression'
Venezuela's government accuses US of attacking civilian, military installations in multiple states
'They Won't Succeed': Maduro Govt Denounces 'US Military Aggression, Says Explosions In Caracas Target Nation’s Oil And Strategic Resources
Attack on Venezuela LIVE Updates: National emergency declared after ‘bombing’ in Caracas
‘The Whole Ground Shook’: Fear and Chaos In Caracas, Locals Recount Moment US Strikes Hit Venezuelan Targets
Venezuela blames explosions on US “military aggression”
Venezuela Burns As US Strikes Defence HQs in Capital Caracas; President Maduro Declares National Emergency
Venezuela rejects ‘aggression by US’, national emergency declared after multiple blasts – What we know
Videos of multiple explosions in Venezuela’s capital surface as residents report low-flying aircraft
US Strikes Venezuela: President Nicolas' Maduro Declares State Of Emergency
Loud Explosions In Venezuela After Trump Warns Of Ground Strikes
Has the USA attacked Venezuela? Reports of bomb blasts in Caracas and other areas, US military aircraft seen in the sky
BREAKING News! Multiple Explosions Reported In Venezuela's Caracas; VIDEO
Live Updates: Colombian President Says Venezuela's Caracas "Bombed With Missiles"
Videos Show Buildings On Fire, Huge Smoke After Blasts In Venezuela
Venezuela says it rejects “military aggression” by the US
Venezuela Declares Emergency After Blasts In Capital, Slams US' 'Aggression': 10 Points
Venezuela Explosions: Videos Capture Exact Moment When Multiple Blasts Rocked Caracas, Choppers Seen Flying Low
Venezuela’s capital hit by explosions, smoke seen
Venezuela Accuses US Of Attacking Military & Civilian Sites In Multiple States Amid Explosions In Caracas
Explosions heard in Venezuela’s Caracas. Is the US behind the blasts? What does Maduro say?
Maduro declares ‘state of emergency’ after US strikes in Venezuela’s Caracas
Venezuela accuses US of ‘military aggression’ after explosions in Caracas
VIDEO | Massive explosions rock Venezuela’s Caracas in US ‘attack’
Venezuela confirms 'peacemaker' Trump behind 'military aggression' in Caracas, slams America's 'regime change' attempt
US strikes Venezuela after Trump’s threats against Maduro
Venezuela explosions: Maduro declares emergency, claims US trying to seize oil & mineral resources
America vs Venezuela: A Comparison of Their Military Might Amid Escalation of Tensions Following US Strike
Donald Trump ‘orders strikes on Venezuela’, Maduro govt says US wants to grab oil, minerals
Defence HQs Hit In Caracas; Maduro Declares National Emergency | US-Venezuela Conflict Explained
US attacks Venezuela: Hour old photos of Operation Southern Spear resurface as Caracas crisis unfolds
Venezuela calls for 'mobilisation' of population against 'peacemaker' Trump's 'imperial aggression'
Before explosions in Venezuela’s Caracas, months of tensions over drugs, and an old US interest — oil
Venezuela-US tensions LIVE: Maduro declares emergency in Venezuela after explosions; reports say Trump ordered strikes
Why US attacked Venezuela and ‘captured’ President Nicolás Maduro: What we know so far
Venezuela Accuses US Of Aggression As Explosions Rock Caracas
US launches attack on Venezuela: Which sites are attacked?
State of emergency in Venezuela as Trump claims to have ‘captured’ Maduro, wife after US airstrikes
US-Venezuela Tensions: 'Captured' President Maduro & His Wife, Says Trump Hours After Airstrikes In Caracas - 10 Points
US President announces capture of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife by the United States
Dramatic visuals show explosions, fires in parts of Venezuela after ‘large-scale strike’ from US
Nicolás Maduro, wife captured after US airstrikes on Venezuela, Donald Trump announces
Donald Trump Confirms US Airstrikes On Caracas, Says Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro & Wife Captured
US launches strikes in Venezuela as Trump claims Maduro captured
Venezuela defense minister says will resist presence of foreign troops
Trump announces press meet at Mar-a-Lago after US strikes Venezuela, 'captures' Maduro, his wife
US Venezuela News Live Updates: US Conducts 'Large Scale Strikes' in Venezuela's Capital Caracas, Emergency Declared; Maduro Captured, Flown Out of Country
CPI(M) condemns US military strikes on Venezuela, calls for immediate withdrawal and peace zone declaration
Venezuelan VP Delcy Rodríguez demands ‘Proof of Life’ for Maduro and Cilia Flores
Russia reacts to US attack on Venezuela, expresses concern over ‘act of armed aggression’
'Criminal attack': World reacts strongly to US strikes on Venezuela — Check who said what
Why US Attacked Venezuela, Captured President Nicolas Maduro
How World Reacted To Venezuelan Leader Maduro's Capture By US Forces
‘US war is illegal’: American Senators denounce military action against Venezuela
Venezuelan Veep appears on state TV amid US attack
Explained| Why the US targeted Venezuela and ‘captured’ President Nicolás Maduro
US Invasion Of Venezuela Echoes Panama Raid When 'Guns N Roses' Was A Weapon
US Attacks Venezuela: Yet Another Surge In Pizza Orders Near Pentagon
US hits Venezuela in night strikes as Trump claims Prez Maduro’s capture
Who Is Cilia Flores, Wife Of Nicolas Maduro Captured By US Forces
Who is Nicholas Maduro’s Wife Cilia Flores? All About Their Family And Children
From Bus Driver To Venezuela President: The Incredible Rise of Now-Captured Nicolás Maduro
Who Is Nicolás Maduro? Venezuela’s Longtime Leader 'Captured' After US Strikes
Venezuela's Allies Strongly Condemn US Attack
World reacts to US strikes on Venezuela
Why US attacked Venezuela? From tensions with America over drugs to capture of Nicolas Maduro—key points explained
Trump says Venezuela’s Maduro deposed and captured after US strikes
Brother Country: Maduro's Olive Branch To US In Last Interview Before Capture
All About Delta Force: The Elite, Secretive US Unit That Captured Maduro
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro ‘arrested’ to stand trial in US. What we know about the charges
Colombia On High Alert After US Strikes On Venezuela, Calls For UN Meeting
Iran, Russia Condemn Attack On Venezuela, Spain Offers Mediation
Legal Authority For The US Strike On Venezuela Is Unclear
Following are reactions to Saturday's US strikes on Venezuela.
'Will release all capabilities for defence of the nation': Venezuela defense minister
US captures Venezuela’s Maduro after strikes, Trump says
‘US imperialism’s thirst for Venezuela’s resources’: How Russia, Iran reacted to US’ attack on Venezuela
Shocked Venezuelans hunker down, unsure of what comes next
Russia, Iran and Cuba condemn US 'armed aggression' against Venezuela
Maduro's Last Meeting Before Being Captured By USA Caught On Camera | WATCH
Russia, Iran condemns US military action in Venezuela, calls for UN Security Council meeting
How global media reported US' attack on Venezuela and Trump's announcement of Maduro's capture?
US warns against travelling to Venezuela, issues highest travel advisory level: ‘Wrongful detention, torture’
US operation on Venezuela draws international condemnation, sparks fears for Latin America
'I Watched It Like A TV Show!': Trump Says He Watched Venezuela Airstrikes Live From Mar-a-Lago Resort
Will Maria Corina Machado Become Venezuela’s Next President After Maduro’s Capture?
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro & His Wife To Face Drug & Terror Charges: US
Nicolas Maduro's heavy-handed rule in Venezuela is finally ended by Trump
What we know about a US strike that captured Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro
Trump says Maduro and wife heading to New York by ship, US to decide Venezuela’s future
Nicolas Maduro on a US warship, will face prosecution in New York, says Donald Trump
What future holds for Nicolás Maduro in US custody? Panama’s Noriega trial offers possible roadmap
Venezuelans come together to celebrate US strikes on Caracas in Florida, Miami, Santiago amid Nicolas Maduro's ‘capture’
Where Is Nicolas Maduro? Donald Trump's Big "Warship" Revelation
'No American killed In Maduro Op, It Was Like Watching A TV Show': Trump
Indian nationals advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela. Here's what the advisory says
Trump’s address breaks down deadly US raid in Venezuela: Caracas plunged into darkness – Key takeaways
World leaders react as US strikes Venezuela, captures Maduro
Inside Operation Absolute Resolve: White House Releases Photos Of Trump Overseeing Venezuela Strikes
Inside Operation Absolute Resolve, the US incursion that deposed Venezuela’s Maduro
At least 40 killed in US strikes on Venezuela: Report
Why the US attacked Venezuela? Explained
China Calls on US to Immediately Release Venezuela's Maduro
Maduro Captured: Did the US Flout International Law?
‘Matter of deep concern’: India reaffirms support for people of Venezuela, seeks peaceful resolution after US attack
