Trump Orders Airstrikes on Venezuela, Claims Capture of President Maduro

On January 3, 2026, US President Donald Trump ordered large-scale airstrikes against Venezuela, targeting the country's largest military complex and communications center. The strikes, which caused explosions and fires, reportedly disabled all aircraft in Venezuelan airspace. Trump claimed US special forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, though the Venezuelan government stated they were unaware of his whereabouts. The US Attorney General announced Maduro was indicted on charges of narco-terrorism, weapons trafficking, and money laundering. Venezuela condemned the action as 'extremely serious military aggression' while Russia called it an 'act of armed aggression.' Brazil criticized the US for crossing an 'unacceptable line.' UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to condemn the strikes, stating he needed to 'establish facts' before responding. The Foreign Office urged British citizens not to travel to Venezuela due to the escalating situation.