Venezuelanalysis.com
January 3, 2026
Caracas, January 3, 2026 (venezuelanalysis.com) – US President Donald Trump has claimed that US Special Forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro during a miltary operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday.
In a social media message, Trump stated that the US had “successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela” and that Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores had been “captured and flown out of the country.”
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that Maduro and Flores’ whereabouts are unknown and demanded that the Trump administration provide proof of life.
US attacks began around 2 am local time, with loud explosions felt in the capital and nearby states.
Multiple military sites, including Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas, were reportedly bombed. Social media users reported low flying aircraft and active air defenses. The port in La Guaira was likewise among infrastructures hit.
Videos on social media also showed helicopters flying over the Venezuelan capital, with military analysts claiming that US Special Forces were deployed.
In a statement published on state outlets, the Venezuelan government accused the United States of carrying out a military attack against Venezuelan territory, describing it as a violation of the UN Charter and a threat to regional peace.
Authorities announced the activation of national defense plans, the deployment of the armed forces, and the declaration of a state of “External Commotion” nationwide. The Maduro government also called for popular mobilization and said it would raise formal complaints before international bodies, including the United Nations.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez issued a statement confirming US bombings in Caracas and surrounding areas.
Padrino reported that Venezuelan authorities are assessing damages and casualties from the attacks, claiming that US helicopters fired missiles on residential areas. The armed forces chief urged the international community to condemn Washington’s “criminal aggression.”
The Trump administration has escalated regime-change threats against Caracas im recent months and vowed to strike land targets.
CNN team witnesses multiple explosions in Venezuela’s capital Caracas
A CNN team witnessed several explosions early Saturday in Caracas, and reported that some areas of the city were without electricity.
Angelo Giuliano
@angeloinchina
Many have asked me what Russia and China would do about Venezuela.
Now you have your answer.
Both Russia and China possess ZERO meaningful power projection capabilities in that hemisphere, and Venezuela is not critical to their core national interests.
This is the same pattern we see in Gaza and other global injustices—illegal actions sustained only by the U.S. doctrine of “might makes right.”
Multipolarity alone will not dismantle the problems of the American empire.
The only real hope lies in the empire’s gradual decline, its eventual implosion, and the slow ascent of a new reality. This new order must not rely on force, but become an inalterable reality based on tangible, new economical/political realities.
True multipolarity means non-alignment and a focus on national interests.
Russia and China will work with whoever holds power in Venezuela, just as they work with the former “terrorist” now directing Syria’s affairs. So, here both Russia and China will probably work with whatever government will be in place after the 30 days period needed to elect a new government in Venezuela.
I am not there to say what people want to hear, this is REALPOLITIK and it is sometime unpleasant to hear.
https://x.com/angeloinchina/status/2007468600840360200
Brian McDonald
@27khv
Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska warns that if the US secures control over Venezuela’s oil fields, after already moving into Guyana, it could end up overseeing more than half of the world’s reserves. In his view, Washington would then be able to hold oil prices near $50 a barrel, putting serious pressure on Russia’s state-capitalist economic model.
https://x.com/27khv/status/2007440673981558919
DD Geopolitics
@DD_Geopolitics
Venezuela Recap
Several hours after the start of the U.S. operation in Venezuela, the main targets and the current situation are becoming clearer. Most strikes hit military facilities, though some civilian sites were also attacked.
Targets hit:
Caracas was the primary focus. U.S. aircraft struck targets in the La Fourier and Lomos del Prado areas. These locations also produced the first visual confirmation of a U.S. landing force on Venezuelan territory.
Civilian sites were hit as well. At least one explosion occurred at the Hugo Chávez Mausoleum. The site has no military or administrative function, making the strike purely symbolic.
La Guaira port, near Maiquetía, was also hit. Damage appears limited—containers and part of the perimeter fence were affected.
A military site near Higuerote airfield was struck. Footage of secondary detonations suggests air defense systems were the target.
Reports of explosions near Charallave and the Bolivarian Naval Academy remain unconfirmed.
The White House claimed the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Reports of the deaths of Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello turned out to be false.
No strikes on oil production or refining facilities have been recorded; they continue operating normally. Venezuelan armed forces offered no resistance and were effectively caught off guard.
According to U.S. officials, no further military action against Venezuela is planned following the announced kidnapping of Maduro. No new attacks have been reported.
That said, if Washington’s goal is a full removal of the country’s leadership, it is unlikely to stop here. Potential replacements for Maduro are plentiful.
https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2007429501559455878
Victor vicktop55
@vick55top
·
Meanwhile, a senior international affairs columnist at the Financial Times wonders:
“And if China conducts a special operation to capture the president of Taiwan, or Russia tries to do the same with Zelensky, what will we say? Is that not allowed? Is it illegal?”
That’s right, a precedent has been set. For Russia and China, any action is justified.
https://x.com/vick55top/status/2007422302925758701
Attorney General Pamela Bondi
@AGPamBondi
Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York. Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States. They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts. On behalf of the entire U.S. DOJ, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American People, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.
https://x.com/AGPamBondi/status/2007428087143686611
Sputnik
@SputnikInt
US operation in Venezuela will change global influence map — expert
Strikes against Venezuela are US strategy to secure close energy sources — security expert Abd Allah Al Sha`ya to Sputnik
Getting them would shield US from energy crises & give room for more action in the Middle East, Europe & Asia, he adds
https://x.com/SputnikInt/status/2007477552433205723
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
@RepMTG
·
45m
I’ve served on the Homeland Security Committee for the past three years. I’m 100% for strong safe secure borders and stopping narco terrorists and cartels from trafficking deadly drugs and human trafficking into America.
Fentanyl is responsible for over 70% of U.S. drug overdose deaths and fentanyl comes from Mexican cartels made with chemical precursors from China and trafficked across the U.S. Mexico border.
Mexican cartels are primarily and overwhelmingly responsible for killing Americans with deadly drugs.
If U.S. military action and regime change in Venezuela was really about saving American lives from deadly drugs then why hasn’t the Trump admin taken action against Mexican cartels?
And if prosecuting narco terrorists is a high priority then why did President Trump pardon the former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez who was convicted and sentenced for 45 years for trafficking hundreds of tons of cocaine into America? Ironically cocaine is the same drug that Venezuela primarily traffics into the U.S.
The next obvious observation is that by removing Maduro this is a clear move for control over Venezuelan oil supplies that will ensure stability for the next obvious regime change war in Iran.
And of course why is it ok for America to militarily invade, bomb, and arrest a foreign leader but Russia is evil for invading Ukraine and China is bad for aggression against Taiwan? Is it only ok if we do it? (I’m not endorsing Russia or China)
Regime change, funding foreign wars, and American’s tax dollars being consistently funneled to foreign causes, foreigners both home and abroad, and foreign governments while Americans are consistently facing increasing cost of living, housing, healthcare, and learn about scams and fraud of their tax dollars is what has most Americans enraged. Especially the younger generations. Boomers and half of Gen X will cheer on neocon wars and talking points, but the other half of Gen X and majority on down see through it and hate it.
Americans disgust with our own government’s never ending military aggression and support of foreign wars is justified because we are forced to pay for it and both parties, Republicans and Democrats, always keep the Washington military machine funded and going.
This is what many in MAGA thought they voted to end.
Boy were we wrong.
As the baby boomers slip away both in votes and power, the electoral future will be decided for candidates that focus on American economic populism and promising prosperity for Americans only.
As of right now, neither party is offering the solution.
https://x.com/RepMTG/status/2007485346913607836
DD Geopolitics
@DD_Geopolitics
·
President Trump:
We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in and spend billions of dollars to fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country.
We’re ready to stage a second and much larger attack if needed.
https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2007496607017902371
CALL TO ACTIVISM
@CalltoActivism
·
Wow. Marco Rubio says Maduro will face justice in U.S. courts.
So in other words, foreign presidents can be held accountable for crimes in our country. But our own presidents cannot.
https://x.com/CalltoActivism/status/2007460872864551378
Marco Foster
@MarcoFoster_
·
Becca Balint (D-VT) on Venezuela: “You have the former President of Honduras who was tried and convicted for importing 400 tons of illegal drugs into the US and President Trump pardoned him. It isn’t about narco terrorists. This was never about keeping Americans safe”
https://x.com/MarcoFoster_/status/2007480226045911046
#
Acyn
@Acyn
Reporter: China, Russia, and Iran have interests in Venezuela. How does this operation affect relationships with them?
Trump: China and Russia, Russia when we get things straightened out, but in terms of other countries that want oil, we are in the oil business. We will be selling oil
https://x.com/Acyn/status/2007504639156207672