The United States of America on Saturday carried out air strikes on Venezuela and captured its President, Nicolas Maduro. US President Donald Trump confirmed in a statement that his country has carried out strikes in several parts of Venezuela, including Caracas, and had flown out President Maduro out of the country along with his wife. The duo was later indicted on drugs and weapons charges in New York.
The US President, in a statement on Truth Social, said: “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. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The US strikes came amid growing tensions in the region. US officials had earlier confirmed to CBS News that President Trump authorised air strikes inside Venezuela, including on military facilities.
The Venezuelan government of President Maduro denounced the US strikes, calling them “extremely serious military aggression”. It said the US carried out attacks on the capital Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
Reports said the residents of Caracas were woken up around 2 am by the noise of loud explosions and low-flying aircraft. People in several localities rushed into the streets following the explosions around 2 am.
BREAKING: The Trump administration has begun an illegal bombing campaign of Caracas, Venezuela, striking various parts of the city. pic.x.com/SeSfSzWh20
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) January 3, 2026
The development came amid the ongoing American military campaign to target alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Venezuela had yesterday stated that it was willing to discuss with the US government a deal to combat drug trafficking. President Maduro had on Thursday alleged that the Trump administration wanted to overthrow his government in the name of an anti-drug trafficking campaign and gain access to the country’s huge oil reserves.
President Donald Trump had been exerting pressure on the Venezuelan government by first ordering a massive military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, and then targeting ships and boats in anti-drug raids. His administration had accused Maduro of drug trafficking and working with gangs designated as terrorist organisations. Trump had also warned of land operations in the South American country while increasing pressure on Maduro to leave office.
In recent weeks, the American military seized control of two oil tankers off Venezuela, while launching deadly strikes on over 30 boats alleged to be carrying drugs.
US air strikes on Venezuela: HIGHLIGHTS
US indicts Maduro on drugs and weapons charges
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has said that Maduro and his wife have been indicted on charges of "Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States". The charges have been filed in the Southern District of New York.
"They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Bondi added.
It was not clear on what charges Maduro's wife had been indicted.
US lawmakers condemn Trump's attack on Venezuela
Several US lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, have opposed President Donald Trump's military attack on Venezuela, calling it "illegal" and a blatant violation of the Federal Constitution, which did not allow the president to wage a full-scale military assault on another nation by his lonesome approval, as it had no prior approval by the Congress.
Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Tim Kaine said the strikes violated the US Constitution because they were carried out without legislative authorisation.
Senator Brian Schatz, condemning the operation, remarked that there was no particular reason for the US to step into a war with Venezuela, and neither did Trump bother informing the Congress or the public about this operation before approving it.
"We have no vital national interests in Venezuela that justify a war," he said, adding, "we should have learned by now not to get involved in another stupid adventure. And he does not even bother to tell the American public what the hell is going on."
- UNI
European Union urges restraint
Senior European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas said the bloc is "closely monitoring the situation", while noting that it had "repeatedly stated that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy."
"Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected," Kallas posted on social media. "We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority."
European Union urges restraint
Senior European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas said the bloc is "closely monitoring the situation", while noting that it had "repeatedly stated that Mr. Maduro lacks legitimacy."
"Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected," Kallas posted on social media. "We call for restraint. The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority."
Colombia deploys forces
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has ordered the deployment of public forces along the border with Venezuela, anticipating a possible influx of Venezuelan refugees following the US strikes.
Russia criticises US military strikes on Venezuela
Russia has called the US action a clear violation of international law. Moscow said the US has used "unacceptable force" against a sovereign state.
Venezuela does not pose a direct threat that would allow the use of force under international law, Russian officials added.
Maduro to stand trial in US
A Republican Senator has said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him that he does not expect any "further action in Venezuela". Mike Lee of Utah said Rubio told him he "anticipates no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody".
Lee further posted on X that according to Rubio, Maduro will "stand trial on criminal charges in the United States".
Iran slams US
Iran has condemned the US strikes on its ally Venezuela. Iran's state media Press TV quoted the foreign ministry as saying that the attack violates Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The US military aggression against an independent state that is a member of the United Nations is a gross violation of regional and international peace and security, the consequences of which will affect the entire international system,” the Iranian ministry said.
Iran slams US
Iran has condemned the US strikes on its ally Venezuela. Iran's state media Press TV quoted the foreign ministry as saying that the attack violates Venezuela’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“The US military aggression against an independent state that is a member of the United Nations is a gross violation of regional and international peace and security, the consequences of which will affect the entire international system,” the Iranian ministry said.
Venezuela orders deployment of all armed forces
Venezuela's Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino has announced the deployment of all armed forces. He said the forces are being deployed on "Maduro's orders". "They've attacked us but they will not subdue us," he said.
Maduro's whereabouts remain unknown: Vice President
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has demanded proof of life for President Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, saying the government did not have any information about the whereabouts of the two.
Venezuela counting the dead
Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said the government was in the process of compiling information on the dead and the injured. Padrino said the US strikes hit several civilian areas.
It has been reported that Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US Army's Delta Force, which is the US military's top counter terrorism unit.
Statement issued by Donald Trump on Venezuela
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/nHDqtsqRFh
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 3, 2026
BIG NEWS! Trump says US has 'captured' Venezuelan President Maduro
United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that his country has carried out strikes in Venezuela and also announced the capture of its leader, President Nicolas Maduro.
Here's the full statement issued by the US President on Truth Social:
"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. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
Military bases and other infra hit
CBS News has reported on the damage sustained by Venezuela in the reported US strikes on its soil. It quoted David Smolansky, a spokesman for Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, as saying that the following locations were hit in the strikes: Fuerte Tiuna, the main military base in Caracas; La Carlota, another key airbase in Caracas; El Volcán, signal antenna; and La Guaira Port, a seaport on the Caribbean coast.
Americans in Venezuela told to shelter in place
Amid military activity in Venezuela, the United States State Department issued a warning to US citizens to shelter in place. The department issued a notice on its website and said the administration was "aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas, Venezuela".
Amid the military action in Venezuela, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has barred US aircraft from operating at all altitudes within the Venezuelan airspace. The FAA cited “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity”, without specifying which military was involved.
Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel has dubbed the strikes on Venezuela a “criminal” attack by the US. Díaz-Canel posted on X: “Cuba denounces and urgently demands the reaction of the international community against the criminal attack by the US on Venezuela. Our zone of peace is being brutally assaulted.”
Venezuela declares national emergency
Following the US strikes, Venezuela's President has declared a national emergency in the country. He called the US attack Washington's attempt to gain control of his country's strategic resources, particularly oil and minerals. He also accused the US of forcibly trying to "break the nation's political independence".
Maduro has further "signed and ordered the implementation of the Decree declaring a state of external commotion throughout the national territory", while also ordering all national defence plans to be implemented "at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances".
Further, "all social and political forces in the country" have been asked to "activate mobilization plans and condemn this imperialist attack".
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro posted on X that the US had attacked Venezuela and called on the United Nations to intervene.
En este momento bombardean Caracas. Alerta atodo el mundo han atacado a Venezuela
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) January 3, 2026
Bombardean con misiles.
Debe reunirse la OEA y la ONU de inmediato.
Venezuelan government rejects and denounces US military aggression
The Government of Venezuela has issued an official statement to condemn the US aggression.
"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population in the civilian and military locations of the city of Caracas, capital of the Republic, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. This act constitutes a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, particularly its Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of States, and the prohibition on the use of force. Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and puts the lives of millions of people at grave risk," the statement read.
Venezuela declares national emergency
Following the US strikes, Venezuela's President has declared a national emergency in the country. He called the US attack Washington's attempt to gain control of his country's strategic resources, particularly oil and minerals. He also accused the US of forcibly trying to "break the nation's political independence".
Maduro has further "signed and ordered the implementation of the Decree declaring a state of external commotion throughout the national territory", while also ordering all national defence plans to be implemented "at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances".
Further, "all social and political forces in the country" have been asked to "activate mobilization plans and condemn this imperialist attack".
Venezuelan government rejects and denounces US military aggression
The Government of Venezuela has issued an official statement to condemn the US aggression.
"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela rejects, repudiates, and denounces before the international community the extremely serious military aggression perpetrated by the current Government of the United States of America against Venezuelan territory and population in the civilian and military locations of the city of Caracas, capital of the Republic, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. This act constitutes a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, particularly its Articles 1 and 2, which enshrine respect for sovereignty, the legal equality of States, and the prohibition on the use of force. Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, specifically in Latin America and the Caribbean, and puts the lives of millions of people at grave risk," the statement read.
US strikes on Venezuela confirmed
The BBC is reporting that the strikes in Caracas were ordered by President Donald Trump. The Caracas strikes, including those on military facilities, were ordered by President Trump, US officials told CBS News.