On January 3, 2026, the United States launched a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, carrying out early-morning airstrikes and special forces actions in Caracas and several northern regions of the country. Under the operation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were taken into custody and transferred to New York, where they face charges related to narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and illegal arms activities based on a 2020 indictment.
According to reports, the operation involved extensive aerial bombardment of military installations, resulting in heavy damage to Venezuela’s air defense systems. Hundreds of casualties have been reported, including both civilians and soldiers. Several parts of Caracas experienced power outages following the strikes, and satellite imagery indicates significant destruction at key military sites.
US President Donald Trump, addressing a press conference, stated that the United States would “run the country until a safe and proper transition is completed.” He added that American oil companies would help restore Venezuela’s deteriorated oil infrastructure, claiming that the operation would cost US taxpayers nothing because “the money will come from the ground.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the action was not intended to be a long-term occupation or a conventional war, but a limited law-enforcement operation focused on the arrest of Maduro.
International reaction has been sharply divided. China, Russia, Cuba, and Belarus condemned the operation, calling it a violation of international law and an act of open imperialism. Several Latin American countries, including Mexico, expressed alarm, with critics describing the action as an invasion motivated by oil interests. Protests against US intervention were reported in multiple countries.
Some European leaders responded cautiously. French President Emmanuel Macron described Maduro’s removal as “relief for the Venezuelan people” while refraining from endorsing the US method. Venezuelan diaspora communities in the United States reportedly celebrated the development.
Legal experts have raised serious concerns, arguing that the operation lacks legitimacy due to the absence of formal authorization from the US Congress and potential violations of international law.
In Venezuela, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez declared the action an “American invasion” and reaffirmed that Maduro remains the country’s legitimate president. The situation remains tense, with the possibility of further US actions still open.
