Donald Trump has claimed the United States carried out military strikes on Venezuela, saying President Nicolás Maduro has been captured and flown out of the country, following reports of multiple explosions in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
The situation remains fast-moving and unverified, with conflicting statements from Washington and Caracas and no independent confirmation of Maduro’s status at the time of writing.
What has happened in Venezuela overnight?
Residents in Caracas reported hearing at least seven loud explosions in the early hours of Saturday morning, alongside sightings of low-flying aircraft over the city.
In a statement issued shortly after, the Venezuelan government said attacks hit both civilian and military installations across several regions, including:
- Caracas
- Miranda
- Aragua
- La Guaira
The government described the incident as a “military aggression” by the United States.
Venezuelan government: “We reject this imperialist attack whose objective is to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral wealth.”
What exactly has Donald Trump claimed?
Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump said the US had launched a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela.
Donald Trump: “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country.”
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement.… pic.twitter.com/sFa5OC4ZrZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 3, 2026
Trump added that the operation was carried out alongside US law enforcement and said a press conference would be held at 11am local time at Mar-a-Lago.
Neither the Pentagon nor the White House has publicly confirmed Trump’s claims. No independent verification of President Maduro’s capture has been provided.
Where were the attacks reported?
According to Venezuelan officials, strikes were reported in four key regions, targeting both infrastructure and security locations.
| Region | Reported impact |
|---|---|
| Caracas | Explosions and aircraft activity |
| Miranda | Military installations |
| Aragua | Strategic infrastructure |
| La Guaira | Coastal and defence sites |
En Caracas, instalaciones clave estatales están siendo bombardeadas por Estados Unidos.
Se ha iniciado la operación para derrocar al tirano Nicolás Maduro y puede ser el principio del fin del narcochavismo.
¡Viva Venezuela libre!pic.twitter.com/8ZAJ926OZa
— Isaac (@isaacrrr7) January 3, 2026
No confirmed casualty figures have been released so far.
Has the US officially confirmed military action?
A US official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed that US strikes are taking place in Venezuela, but did not provide further details.
At the time of publication:
- No formal Pentagon briefing
- No White House statement
- No confirmation of Maduro’s detention
This has raised serious questions about what actions were authorised and by whom.
How has Venezuela responded internally?
The Venezuelan government accused Washington of attempting regime change and called on its supporters to mobilise.
“People to the streets! The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces to activate mobilisation plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.”
Officials said President Maduro had ordered all national defence plans to be activated and declared a state of external disturbance, granting emergency powers that allow:
- Expanded military deployment
- Suspension of certain civil liberties
- Heightened internal security measures
Why now? What led up to this escalation?
Trump has repeatedly threatened strikes on Venezuela over recent months, accusing the country of allowing drug-smuggling operations that allegedly targeted US interests.
Venezuela has long rejected these claims, saying Washington is using them as a pretext for regime change.
The country holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world, a factor often cited in geopolitical tensions with the US.
Are flights and travel affected?
Yes. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) shortly after 1am US East Coast time, banning US flights from Venezuelan airspace.
The FAA cited:
- “Ongoing military activity”
- “Safety-of-flight risks”
The warning also covers Curaçao, just north of Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the US embassy in Colombia advised American citizens in the region to “shelter in place” and avoid travel to Venezuela.
How has the international community reacted?
Iran condemned the reported strikes, calling them a “blatant violation of Venezuela’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Iran and Venezuela have strengthened ties in recent years, united by shared opposition to US foreign policy and sanctions.
Other global powers have so far urged restraint, with several calling for verified information before responding diplomatically.
