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Trump Claims Maduro Captured After US Strikes Rock Caracas in Major Military Operation
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Explosions were reported in multiple districts of Caracas on the morning of January 3, amid sightings of military aircraft flying over the Venezuelan capital.
According to Reuters, parts of the city, particularly areas near major military installations, experienced power outages. Social media users and local outlets, including El Nacional, described visible smoke plumes and low-flying aircraft.
Full-scale military operations appear to be underway against Venezuela, with dozens of helicopters with the U.S. Army spotted over the capital of Caracas. pic.twitter.com/kIqfbGjOK4
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026
According to CBS News, senior White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs reported that President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Venezuelan military targets as part of a broader campaign against the government of Nicolás Maduro.
President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States had conducted a successful large-scale military operation against Venezuela and claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and taken out of the country.
“The United States of America has successfully carried 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,” Trump wrote.
He added that further details would be provided during a press conference scheduled for 11:00 a.m. local time at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro responded on social media, stating, “Alert the world: Venezuela has been attacked by missile strikes.” He called on the Organization of American States and the United Nations to convene an emergency session.
Eyewitness accounts referenced by Reuters and El Nacional mentioned at least ten explosions and the presence of Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters over the city. Local outlet VPItv published video footage showing helicopters in flight and the aftermath of blasts.
One of the targets was the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda air base, a key facility for Venezuela’s army aviation forces. Additionally, a fire reportedly broke out at Fuerte Tiuna, the country’s largest military complex, following the blasts.
Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims the attacks targeted both civilian and military infrastructure in Caracas and in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. The government has declared a nationwide state of emergency, citing violations of the United Nations Charter and threats to national sovereignty.
This development follows months of increasing tensions. In November 2025, President Trump ordered the closure of US airspace over and around Venezuela. The US Federal Aviation Administration also issued warnings to commercial airlines, citing deteriorating security and rising military activity.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Venezuela had not requested military assistance and that Moscow had no plans to send troops or weapons. He emphasized that, unlike Belarus, Venezuela is not part of a mutual defense alliance with Russia.
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