US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country [View all]

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Last edited Sat Jan 3, 2026, 05:38 AM - Edit history (4)

Source: AP

Updated 5:29 AM EST, January 3, 2026


CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike” early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington — an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack.

Multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas, the capital, as Maduro’s government immediately accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations. The Venezuelan government called it an “imperialist attack” and urged citizens to take to the streets.

It was not immediately clear who was running the country, and Maduro’s whereabouts were not immediately known. Trump announced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 a.m. ET. Under Venezuelan law the vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, would take power. There was no confirmation that had happened, though she did issue a statement after the strike.

“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodriguez said. “We demand proof of life.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e

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4:22 AM · Jan 3, 2026

Article updated.

Previous articles/headlines -

Updated 5:09 AM EST, January 3, 2026


CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuela's vice president has appeared on state TV to say that the government doesn't know where the president and his wife are after U.S. forces captured them. "We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicols Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores," Delcy Rodriguez said. "We demand proof of life."

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The United States hit Venezuela with a "large-scale strike" early Saturday and said its president, Nicols Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington -- an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack.

Multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas, the capital, as Maduro's government immediately accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations. The Venezuelan government called it an "imperialist attack" and urged citizens to take to the streets.

It was not immediately clear who was running the country, and Maduro's whereabouts were not immediately known. Trump announced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 a.m. ET.

Updated 4:51 AM EST, January 3, 2026


CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The United States hit Venezuela with a "large-scale strike" early Saturday and said its president, Nicols Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington -- an extraordinary nighttime operation announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the attack.

Multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas, the capital, as Maduro's government immediately accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations. The Venezuelan government called it an "imperialist attack" and urged citizens to take to the streets.

It was not immediately clear who was running the country, and Maduro's whereabouts were not immediately known. Trump announced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 a.m. ET.

Maduro, Trump said, "has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow." He set a news conference for later Saturday morning.

Trump says Venezuela's Maduro has been captured after US conducted 'large scale strike' on country

Updated 4:32 AM EST, January 3, 2026


CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro has been captured and flown from the country, President Donald Trump announced early Saturday after confirming that the U.S. forces conducted what he called "a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader."

In a post on social media, Trump said Maduro's wife was also seized in the operation conducted along with U.S. law enforcement. Trump said he planned to deliver a statement later Saturday morning.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP's earlier story follows below.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- At least seven explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through the capital of Venezuela early Saturday, with the government of leader Nicols Maduro accusing the United States of attacking civilian and military installations following a monthslong pressure campaign.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace because of "ongoing military activity" ahead of the explosions in Caracas. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. about its role, the targets or the purpose of the strikes.

Explosions ring out in Venezuela as Maduro's government accuses US of attack

Updated 3:58 AM EST, January 3, 2026


CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- At least seven explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through the capital of Venezuela early Saturday, with the government of leader Nicols Maduro accusing the United States of attacking civilian and military installations following a monthslong pressure campaign.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace because of "ongoing military activity" ahead of the explosions in Caracas. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. about its role, the targets or the purpose of the strikes.

The explosions in Caracas sent people rushing into the streets, while others took to social media to report hearing and seeing the blasts. It was not immediately clear if there were casualties. The apparent attack lasted less than 30 minutes, but it was unclear if more actions were ahead. Two hours later, parts of the city remained without power, but vehicles moved freely.

Smoke could be seen rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas, while another military installation in the capital was without power. "The whole ground shook. This is horrible. We heard explosions and planes," said Carmen Hidalgo, a 21-year-old office worker, her voice trembling. She was walking briskly with two relatives, returning from a birthday party. "We felt like the air was hitting us."

Venezuela's government accuses US of attacking civilian, military installations in multiple states

Updated 3:24 AM EST, January 3, 2026


CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in Venezuela's capital, Caracas. The government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states.

Pentagon referred requests for comment to the White House, which didn't immediately return an email seeking comment. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace over "ongoing military activity" ahead of explosions in Caracas.

Calls to the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region, went unanswered.

Explosions rock Caracas

The explosions in Caracas occurred within less than 30 minutes. People in various neighborhoods rushed to the streets. while others took to social media to report hearing and seeing the blasts. Two hours later, various areas of the city remained without power, but vehicles continued to move freely.

Original article -

Updated 3:17 AM EST, January 3, 2026


CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- At least seven explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard around 2 a.m. local time Saturday in the capital, Caracas. Venezuela's government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations in multiple states.

Pentagon referred requests for comment to the White House, which didn't immediately return an email seeking comment. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace over "ongoing military activity" ahead of explosions in Caracas.

Calls to the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees military operations in the region, went unanswered.

The FAA's warning, known as "Notice to Airmen," came shortly after one in the morning on the east coast of the U.S. It warned all commercial and private U.S. pilots that the airspace over Venezuela and the small island nation of Curacao, just off the coast of the country to the north, was off-limits "due to safety-of-flight risks associated with ongoing military activity."