US Launches Large-Scale Strikes on Venezuela; Maduro Captured

On January 3, 2026, the US conducted a large-scale military strike against Venezuela, targeting Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. Low-flying aircraft caused explosions and smoke at a military base hangar in Caracas, lasting approximately 30 minutes. President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were captured by US elite special forces and flown out of the country, as confirmed by President Donald Trump on Truth Social. The Venezuelan government declared a national emergency, accusing the US of attempting to seize oil and minerals and threatening international peace. The FAA prohibited US flights over Venezuela due to ongoing military activity. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Maduro and Flores will face criminal charges in New York, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and weapons charges. This escalation follows months of US pressure, including drug-interdiction operations and sanctions. The strikes mark a significant turning point in US-Venezuela relations.