The United States has conducted a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, with reports indicating President Nicolás Maduro has been captured and removed from the country following months of increased pressure from Washington. The operation was announced by former President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack.
Venezuela Strike: Maduro Reportedly Captured
Multiple explosions were reported in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, accompanied by low-flying aircraft, as Maduro’s government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations. The Venezuelan government characterized the action as an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to protest.
The whereabouts of Maduro were initially unknown, and it was unclear who was in control of the country. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez issued a statement, stating, “We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” and demanded proof of life.
Trump stated on Truth Social that Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the Country” in an operation conducted with US law enforcement. He promised further details and scheduled a news conference.
The legal basis for the strike under US law remained unclear. Senator Mike Lee, Republican-Utah, stated he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who informed him that Maduro “has been arrested by US personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.”
The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding Maduro and his wife’s destination. Maduro was indicted in March 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges in the Southern District of New York.
Explosions in Caracas – at least seven – occurred early on the third day of 2026, prompting residents to rush into the streets and share reports on social media. The extent of any casualties was not immediately known.
The attack lasted less than 30 minutes, with the possibility of further actions remaining unclear, though Trump described the strikes as “successful.” The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on US commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity.”
The strike followed months of escalating pressure from the Trump administration. The CIA was reportedly behind a drone strike last week targeting a docking area believed to be used by Venezuelan drug cartels – the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since US strikes began in September.
Trump had previously threatened strikes on Venezuelan land following accusations of drug trafficking. Maduro has condemned the US military operations as an attempt to remove him from power.
Streets of Caracas See Mobilization
Armed individuals and uniformed members of a civilian militia were observed in a Caracas neighborhood considered a stronghold of the ruling party. Other areas of the city remained largely empty hours after the attack.
Parts of the city experienced power outages, but vehicle traffic continued. Video footage verified by The Associated Press showed tracers and smoke in the sky, along with explosions illuminating the night. Smoke was also seen rising from a military base hangar, and another military installation was without power.
“The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes,” said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker. “We felt like the air was hitting us.”
The Venezuelan government called for citizens to take to the streets, stating, “People to the streets! The Bolivarian Government calls on all social and political forces in the country to activate mobilisation plans and repudiate this imperialist attack.” The government also declared a “state of external disturbance,” granting expanded powers to the armed forces and potentially suspending citizens’ rights.
The US Embassy in Venezuela, which has been closed since 2019, issued a warning to American citizens in the country, advising them to “shelter in place.”
Initial Reactions Emerge
Inquiries to the Pentagon and US Southern Command went unanswered following Trump’s social media post. The FAA also prohibited US commercial and private pilots from flying over Venezuela and the nearby island of Curacao due to “safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity.”
Senator Mike Lee expressed concerns, questioning the constitutional justification for the action without a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force. It was not immediately clear if Congress had been officially notified of the strikes.
The Armed Services committees in both houses of Congress had not received notification from the administration regarding the actions, according to a source granted anonymity. Lawmakers from both parties have raised concerns about previous US attacks on boats suspected of drug smuggling, and Congress has not authorized such operations.
Cuba, a supporter of Maduro’s government, condemned the attack, calling for an international response. Iranian officials also denounced the strikes. President Javier Milei of Argentina praised Trump’s claim of Maduro’s capture, using his slogan “Long live freedom, dammit!”
The US military has been conducting strikes against boats in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean since early September, resulting in at least 115 deaths and 35 boat strikes, according to the Trump administration. These actions followed a significant buildup of American forces in the region, including the deployment of a new aircraft carrier.
Trump has justified the boat strikes as necessary to combat drug trafficking, asserting that the US is engaged in an “armed conflict” with drug cartels.
Discover more from Archyworldys
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
