US President Bombs Capital of Venezuela, Kidnapping President and First Lady**

In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Western Hemisphere, the United States launched a large-scale military strike against Venezuela on January 3, 2026, targeting the capital city of Caracas and other strategic locations. The operation, ordered by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores — who were taken out of the country and flown to the United States to face federal charges. (Wikipedia)

Explosions and air operations shook Caracas in the early hours of the morning, with multiple blasts and low-flying aircraft observed by residents and captured in verified video footage. Smoke rose over military installations, and power disruptions briefly affected parts of the city. Venezuelan officials described the strikes as an aggressive and unwarranted assault on national sovereignty. (WBUR)

President Trump described the mission — known within U.S. defense circles as Operation Absolute Resolve — as a targeted action against what his administration terms “narcoterrorism” and criminal activity tied to Maduro’s government. Trump and senior U.S. officials assert that Maduro’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking and corruption justified the strike and capture under U.S. law enforcement and national security mandates. (Wikipedia)

However, opposition voices at home and abroad sharply dispute this framing. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who by law would assume leadership in Maduro’s absence, demanded proof of life for the missing president and first lady and denounced the assault as a kidnapping of a sovereign nation’s elected leaders. (WBUR)

The operation resulted in significant casualties, including military personnel and civilians in Venezuela and allied Cuban forces stationed in the country, triggering a week of national mourning declared by Caracas to honor those killed. Regional leaders condemned the violence and called for emergency sessions of international bodies to address the crisis. (Reuters)

Within the United States and Venezuelan communities abroad, reactions have been deeply polarized. Protests erupted in several U.S. cities, with demonstrators decrying the military action and alleging it was aimed at controlling Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Others celebrated Maduro’s removal and the prospect of political change in Caracas. (KSAT)

Since the initial strike, diplomatic efforts have begun to manage the fallout. Both countries have signaled interest in stabilizing relations, with talks of reopening embassies and engaging in technical cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. Despite these tentative steps, the military presence in the region remains high, and uncertainty looms over Venezuela’s political future. (Reuters)

As the world watches, the legal status of Maduro and Flores — now facing U.S. federal charges — and the broader implications of this unprecedented operation continue to unfold, raising fundamental questions about sovereignty, international law, and the future of U.S.–Latin America relations. (washingtonpost.com)

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