#TrumpLaunchesStrikesonVenezuela

U.S. Military Strikes Mark Historic Escalation; Maduro Captured as Global Response Intensifies
On January 3, 2026, the United States launched a large‑scale military operation against Venezuela, marking an unprecedented escalation in U.S. foreign policy and military engagement in Latin America. According to official statements from the White House, the strike involved coordinated use of air, land, and sea forces directed by President Donald J. Trump, described by U.S. officials as an “extraordinary military operation” in and around the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.
PBS +1
President Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces and transported out of Venezuela. U.S. leadership stated that this operation was aimed at dismantling what the administration has repeatedly labelled a “narco‑terrorist regime,” though these accusations have been widely contested.
AP News +1
In his public address, Trump asserted that the United States would temporarily oversee governance in Venezuela to facilitate what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition,” including purported plans for economic and infrastructure involvement. Washington signalled intent to engage U.S. energy firms in redevelopment efforts tied to Venezuela’s extensive oil reserves.
Anadolu Ajansı
The implications of this military action have provoked immediate international concern. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency session to address the legality and broader consequences of the strike, with multiple nations condemning the intervention as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty. Russia, China, several European states, and Latin American governments have criticised the move, describing it as an act of aggression with potential to destabilise regional security.
Reuters +1
Reactions across the Americas remain deeply divided. Some regional governments expressed support for the U.S. actions, while others, including Cuba, decried the strikes as “state terrorism” and demanded urgent global response against what they called a blatant violation of national independence.
Anadolu Ajansı
The operation follows a months‑long campaign of U.S. military pressure against Venezuela, which included repeated strikes on alleged narco‑trafficking vessels and the imposition of naval blockades. Caracas has consistently denied U.S. claims, arguing that anti‑drug pretexts mask broader objectives aimed at regime change and control of Venezuela’s natural resources.
Wikipedia
Domestically within the United States, lawmakers are sharply divided. Some Republican officials back Trump's decision as decisive action against narcotics networks and a hostile regime, while Democratic leaders and international law experts argue the president lacked congressional authorization for military force and that the strikes set a dangerous precedent under international law.
As of today, the immediate aftermath of the operation including ground realities in Venezuela, civilian impact, and the stance of the Venezuelan interim leadership continues to unfold. The international community watches closely as geopolitical implications deepen and questions about long‑term regional stability grow.