During the night of January 3, 2026, US forces carried out several strikes on sites in Caracas and nearby parts of Venezuela. According to Venezuelan authorities, the attack affected the capital as well as the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira. Reported targets included the Fort Tiuna military base and La Carlota airport. No verified death or injury toll has been published.
Residents of Caracas said the first explosions were heard at about 2 a.m.; the outlet writes that eyewitness videos on social media support that timeline. Political scientist Alexandra Panzarelli said relatives and friends in the city reported blasts near their homes and drone attacks on military facilities.
Hours later, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that the United States had carried out a “successful special operation” and captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. CNN and CBS News, citing sources, said the operation was allegedly conducted by Delta Force. The New York Times, citing a US official, reported that American forces suffered no losses.
According to CNN, the operation had been approved several days before the attack. US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed charges against Maduro and Flores, including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. Trump described Maduro’s capture as a “brilliant operation.”
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López called the events the biggest violation against the country and confirmed that helicopters were used in the attack. Delcy Rodríguez demanded proof from Washington that Maduro and his wife were alive. Reuters reports that she had traveled to Russia were later contradicted by The New York Times and Russia’s Foreign Ministry.
Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Colombia and Iran condemned the US action. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the European Union had not recognized Maduro’s legitimacy, while also urging compliance with international law. The developments also revived attention to the disputed July 2024 election, whose official results are rejected by Venezuela’s opposition.