WASHINGTON/FLORIDA — In a stunning announcement that marks a dramatic escalation of hostilities, U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that American forces had launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The claim was made via the president’s social media platform, Truth Social, early on January 3, 2026. “Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been successfully captured and flown out of the country,” President Trump stated, adding that the operation was conducted in coordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Operation Details and Regional Escalation
The announcement follows reports of powerful explosions that shook the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, around 2 a.m. local time. Airstrikes were reported to have targeted key military installations, including the Fuerte Tiuna military complex—a known residence of Maduro—and the La Carlota Air Base in the city center.
Venezuela’s Response and Declaration of Emergency
Prior to Trump’s statement, the Maduro government had issued its own emergency declarations. President Maduro officially proclaimed a “State of External Disturbance” and announced a national emergency. His administration called for mass mobilization, urging supporters to take to the streets to resist what it termed “imperialist aggression” and “state terrorism.”
International Condemnation
The military action has triggered immediate and sharp condemnation from regional allies and global actors.
- Colombia & Cuba: Presidents Gustavo Petro of Colombia and Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba strongly condemned the attack. President Petro called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations.
- Iran: Tehran also issued a statement denouncing the U.S. military action as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.
Press Conference Pending
President Trump is scheduled to provide further details in a press conference at 11 a.m. local time today from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The international community now awaits official U.S. military confirmation and details on the status and location of the captured Venezuelan leader, as the situation develops into one of the most significant geopolitical crises in recent memory.
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