Sat Jan 03 09:00:00 UTC 2026: Summary:

Caracas, Venezuela was rocked by explosions on January 3rd, including near the airport. U.S. President Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Maduro following a U.S. strike, a claim corroborated by U.S. media citing administration sources. Maduro has declared a state of emergency. The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert to its citizens, while Cuba condemned the U.S. action. Reports detail military presence and evacuations in Caracas. The FAA has restricted U.S. flights over Venezuela. International reactions are pouring in, with Columbia calling for emergency sessions of the UN and OAS. Maduro’s government accuses the U.S. of military aggression and has mobilized social and political forces. Residents reported explosions near La Carlota airbase, and power outages were reported.

News Article:

U.S. Strikes Venezuela, Maduro Reportedly Captured

Caracas, Venezuela – January 3, 2024 – Venezuela is in crisis following a series of explosions in Caracas, including near the city’s airport. U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been captured following a large-scale U.S. strike. Trump stated that Maduro and his wife were apprehended and removed from the country. He plans to hold a press conference later today at Mar-a-Lago.

CBS News and Fox News, citing administration officials, confirmed that U.S. forces conducted strikes in Caracas. Reuters also quoted an unnamed U.S. official confirming U.S. involvement. However, an official statement from the White House has not been released, with The Wall Street Journal reporting a statement will follow once U.S. military assets have exited Venezuelan airspace.

In response to the attacks, Maduro has declared a state of emergency in Venezuela, accusing the U.S. of military aggression. The Venezuelan government stated the strikes targeted Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, prompting the emergency declaration and mobilization of social and political forces.

The U.S. Embassy in Bogota has issued a warning for U.S. citizens in Venezuela, urging them to seek shelter. Eyewitnesses report the explosions have subsided, but military aircraft are still periodically heard over the city. Reports indicate armed soldiers and armored vehicles are deployed near the Miraflores Palace, Maduro’s official residence, while some residents are reportedly evacuating.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a notice prohibiting U.S. commercial flights at all altitudes over Venezuela, citing security risks related to ongoing military activity.

International reactions are mounting. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the U.S. action as a “criminal attack” and called for immediate international action. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has urged the UN and the Organization of American States (OAS) to convene emergency meetings.

Reports from Caracas indicate that explosions were heard near the La Carlota airbase, and power outages have been reported. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected.

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