Sat 03 January 2026:
United States President Donald Trump has claimed that the US has carried out a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country” following the operation, which he said was conducted “in conjunction with US law enforcement”.
- Venezuela’s government accuses the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states, as it rejects “military aggression” by Washington. The government of President Nicolas Maduro declares a national emergency following the series of attacks.
- The US has yet to comment on the attacks, which the Venezuelan government said hit the capital Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
- The explosions come after months of tension with the US, which has accused Venezuelan President Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking. Maduro has denied the accusations.
- On Thursday, Maduro indicated he was open to negotiating a deal with the US to combat drug trafficking. The US has carried out more than 20 air strikes in the sea near Venezuela since September, as it slapped sanctions and upped military pressure on Caracas.
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Colombia’s president lists sites he claims were hit in attacks on Venezuela
We have now heard from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who has posted a list of locations he says were bombarded overnight in Venezuela.
In a post on X earlier, Petro shared the following claims, which have not been independently verified:
- La Carlota air base was disabled and bombed.
- Cuartel de la Montaña in Catia was disabled and bombed.
- Federal Legislative Palace in Caracas was bombed.
- Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s main military complex, was bombed.
- An airport in El Hatillo was attacked.
- F-16 Base No. 3 in Barquisimeto was bombed.
- A private airport in Charallave, near Caracas, was bombed and disabled.
- A defence plan was activated at Miraflores, the presidential palace in Caracas.
- Large parts of Caracas, including Santa Mónica, Fuerte Tiuna, Los Teques, 23 de Enero and the southern areas of the capital, were left without electricity.
- Attacks were reported in central Caracas.
- A military helicopter base in Higuerote was disabled and bombed.
Venezuela denounces attack as US ‘military aggression’
Venezuela’s government has accused the United States of launching attacks on civilian and military installations across several states, rejecting what it described as a “military aggression,” according to an official statement.
◾ The government said the attacks occurred in Caracas as well as in the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. Caracas also accused Washington of staging the assault in an attempt to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources, pledging that such efforts “will not succeed”.
◾ Such aggression threatens international peace and stability, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, and places the lives of millions of people at grave risk.
◾ The attempt to impose a colonial war to destroy the republican form of government and force a “regime change,” in alliance with the “fascist oligarchy”, will fail like all previous attempts.
◾ Since 1811, Venezuela has confronted and defeated empires.
◾ Today, the Venezuelan people rise up once again to defend their independence against imperial aggression. People to the streets!
◾ In strict adherence to Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, Venezuela reserves the right to exercise legitimate self-defense to protect its people, its territory, and its independence.
◾ As Supreme Commander Hugo Chavez Frias stated, “In the face of any new difficulties, however great they may be, the response of all patriots … is unity, struggle, battle, and victory.”
◾ President Nicolas Maduro has declared a national state of emergency. The US has not commented yet.
Venezuelan opposition leader has backed Trump’s strategy
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado told CBS News in mid-December she was “absolutely” supportive of President Trump’s strategy in the country.
“We, the Venezuelan people, are very grateful to him and to his administration, because I believe he is a champion of freedom in this hemisphere,” Machado said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan.”
At the time, the president’s strategy was limited to attacks on suspected drug boats, the seizure of an oil tanker and economic and diplomatic pressure, but not land strikes.
Asked if she’d welcome U.S. military action in Venezuela, Machado did not rule it out, saying: “I will welcome more and more pressure so that Maduro understands that he has to go.”
A former lawmaker who was disqualified from running in Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election, Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year, and collected the prize in Norway after a risky waterborne exit from Venezuela. She dedicated the prize to Mr. Trump.
Colombia urges ‘de-escalation’ after reports of explosions in Venezuela
Colombian President Gustavo Petro says his government is “deeply concerned” by reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity in neighbouring Venezuela, warning of rising regional tensions.
In a statement posted on X, Petro said Colombia was watching developments in Venezuela with concern, citing reports from recent hours and the risk of further escalation.
He said Colombia remained firmly committed to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including “respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states”.
“The Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could worsen the situation or endanger the civilian population,” Petro said.
He added that Colombia was calling urgently for de-escalation, urging all parties to “refrain from actions that deepen the confrontation” and to prioritise dialogue and diplomatic channels in order to preserve regional peace.
US embassy urges Americans not to travel to Venezuela or its borders
The US embassy in Bogota says it is aware of reports of explosions in and around Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and has reiterated warnings for US citizens not to travel to the country.
In a security notice, the embassy urged US citizens currently in Venezuela to leave the country as soon as it is safe to do so.
The embassy noted that Venezuela is subject to a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory – the highest warning level.
It advised Americans to avoid travel to Venezuela, shelter in place if already there, and maintain multiple lines of communication with family and friends outside the country.
The statement noted that in March 2019, the US Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from the US embassy in Caracas and suspended operations.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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