Venezuela-US tensions LIVE UPDATES 🖋

Trump said Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro was captured following what he described as a “large-scale strike” on the country, adding that Maduro’s wife was also detained and flown out of Venezuela. Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez later said the government does not know the whereabouts of President Maduro and his wife and has demanded proof of life.

This image posted on US President Donald Trump's Truth Social account on January 3, 2026, shows what President Trump says is Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro onboard the after the US military captured him on January 3, 2026.- AFP

The United States carried out what it described as a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela early on Saturday after which President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured and removed from the country, US officials said. The dramatic overnight operation followed months of intensified pressure from Washington and was announced by President Donald Trump on social media hours after the strike.

Maduro and his wife were taken into custody at their residence during the night and were being transported aboard a U.S. naval vessel to New York, where they are expected to face criminal charges. Addressing the media, President Trump said Saturday the United States will "run" Venezuela until a political transition can occur, after the spectacular US military operation to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from the country.

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE UPDATES: Maduro, wife brought to New York to face charges

January 4, 2026, 16:36:01 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US attack on Venezuela may boost China’s territorial stance but unlikely to trigger Taiwan action, say analysts

Analysts say the US attack on Venezuela could encourage China to assert its territorial claims over areas like Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea, though it is unlikely to accelerate any potential move against Taiwan.

They note that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s decisions regarding Taiwan are driven more by domestic considerations than by developments in Latin America.

Still, experts suggest that President Donald Trump’s bold operation on Saturday, which led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, provides China with an unexpected opportunity to criticise the US and strengthen its position on the global stage in the near term.

January 4, 2026, 16:19:30 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: North Korea condemns US strikes on Venezuela as ‘high-handed’ encroachment on sovereignty

Reacting to the US operation in Venezuela, North Korea on Sunday condemned the strikes as the “most serious form of encroachment on sovereignty.”

According to Reuters, North Korea said it was closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, describing the US action as an act of “high-handedness.”

January 4, 2026, 16:15:38 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: UK says it was not involved in US strikes on Venezuela, had no prior knowledge

A senior aide to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that Britain had no involvement in the US military strikes on Venezuela and had not been informed beforehand.

Speaking to Sky News, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones described the operation as entirely American and said the UK played no part in its planning or execution.

When asked whether the strike was successful, Jones said it was not for Britain to judge, adding that only the US could comment. Prime Minister Starmer had earlier stated that the UK was not involved, though he noted that Britain considers Nicolás Maduro an illegitimate president.

January 4, 2026, 15:43:06 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump says US oil firms will invest billions to rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure

Trump said US oil companies would invest billions of dollars to rebuild Venezuela’s deteriorating energy infrastructure following the military operation that led to the capture of the country’s former leader, Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump outlined plans to leverage US financial resources and industry expertise to revive Venezuela’s oil sector.

“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies — the biggest in the world — go in, spend billions of dollars, repair the badly broken oil infrastructure, and start generating revenue for the country,” Trump said. “They will be reimbursed.”

January 4, 2026, 15:31:47 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Experts question if Trump violated international law in Maduro capture and Venezuela strike

Trump said on Saturday that the US had carried out a “large-scale” attack on Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolás Maduro, along with his wife, Cilia Flores.

However, the military operation, named “Operation Absolute Resolve”, has come under scrutiny, with experts noting that the US president may have violated international law.

January 4, 2026, 15:21:59 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Uncertainty over Venezuela’s future as US shifts to ‘coercive negotiation’, says former adviser

Evan Ellis, a former US adviser on Venezuelan policy, told the BBC that there is significant uncertainty over what lies ahead for Venezuela’s leadership.

He said the Trump administration seems to be entering a new phase of “coercive negotiation” with Venezuela, rather than pushing for an immediate transition to democracy.

January 4, 2026, 15:10:03 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Former Mexican president warns Trump fleeting victory could turn into major defeat

Former Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Sunday warned US President Donald Trump that what may appear as a short-term victory today could turn into a major defeat tomorrow.

In a post on X, López Obrador said he may be retired from politics, but his convictions did not allow him to remain silent in the face of what he called an arrogant assault on the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people and the kidnapping of their president. He said neither Simón Bolívar nor Abraham Lincoln would have accepted the United States acting as a global tyrant.

Addressing Trump directly, López Obrador urged him not to become complacent or be swayed by hardliners, saying he had the ability to act with practical judgement. He cautioned that politics should not be about imposition and warned that fleeting victories could lead to lasting setbacks.

He also invoked the words of Benito Juárez, saying that respect for the rights of others is the foundation of peace. López Obrador said he was proud to be Mexican and Latin American and expressed unconditional support for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

January 4, 2026, 14:45:13 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Maduro held in New York jail

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was being held in a New York jail on Saturday, hours after US special forces captured him and flew him out of the country, a move that Donald Trump said would place Venezuela under effective US control.

January 4, 2026, 14:33:14 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: ‘Trump administration will always defend Americans’, says White House after strike

Nicolas Maduro had his chance — until he didn’t.

The Trump Admin will always defend American citizens against all threats, foreign and domestic. 🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/eov3GbBXf4
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 4, 2026

January 4, 2026, 14:26:54 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: China urges US to release Maduro, calls removal a violation of international law

China’s foreign ministry has urged the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling on Washington to resolve the situation in Venezuela through dialogue and negotiation.

In a statement posted on its website, the ministry said the US must ensure the personal safety of Maduro and his wife, adding that their removal from the country violated international law and established international norms.

January 4, 2026, 14:26:54 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: China urges US to release Maduro, calls removal a violation of international law

January 4, 2026, 14:12:05 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Anti-war rallies held across the US | In Pics

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: While some celebrated Maduro’s ousting, here are some visuals from anti-war rallies that took over the US soon after the American strikes on the Venezuelan soil.

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Anti-war rallies held across the US | In Pics

January 4, 2026, 13:30:15 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Who is Cilia Flores?

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Apart from Maduro, the US military also captured Venezuela’s First Lady, Cilia Flores. The First Lady of the Latin American nation has long been a powerful figure in Venezuelan politics, blending legal authority and political force.

In 2006, she became the first woman to serve as the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly and later served as the Attorney General of Venezuela. She married President Nicolas Maduro in 2013, shortly after he assumed the presidency following Hugo Chavez’s death.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro arrives with his wife Cilia Flores to deliver his annual speech to parliament in Caracas on January 15, 2025.- AFP

Flores rejected the title of First Lady and has often urged people to call her First Combatant. The US attorney general said on Saturday that she and her husband will face drug-related charges in the US.

January 4, 2026, 13:21:40 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Australia calls for dialogue

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: As the world wakes up to the news of US military operation in Venezuela, Australia has called on “all relevant parties” to support dialogue and diplomacy following the capture of Latin American nation’s President, Nicholas Maduro.

In a post on X, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that his government is “monitoring developments in Venezuela” after the US military operation.

“We urge all parties to support dialogue and diplomacy in order to secure regional stability and prevent escalation,” Albanese said. “We continue to support international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people,” he added.

January 4, 2026, 12:48:06 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: How US forces tracked and captured Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: “I watched it, literally, like I was watching a television show. And if you would have seen the speed, the violence… It was an amazing thing, an amazing job that these people did. Nobody else could have done anything like it.”

This is how US President Donald Trump described ‘Operation Absolute Resolve’, the military operation to seize Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, who has now arrived in New York and will stand trial on drug and weapon charges.

A handcuffed Nicolas Maduro in New York City after being captured by US forces from Caracas. Image Courtesy: X

Operation Absolute Resolve is the dramatic culmination of a months-long campaign whose ultimate goal has long been clear to those involved in its planning: to oust the Venezuelan president from power.

Here’s how this complex, dangerous and daring operation unfolded — from planning to execution and extraction.

January 4, 2026, 12:32:16 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: China calls on US to 'immediately' release Maduro & his wife

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: In a statement on Sunday, China called on the United States to “immediately” release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who are in custody in the US after being snatched by American forces from the Venezuelan capital Caracas.

“China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife, immediately release President Maduro and his wife, cease its efforts to subvert the Venezuelan regime, and resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation,” the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.

China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the U.S.’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president.

Such hegemonic acts of the U.S. seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin… pic.twitter.com/wjfRMhvNKP
— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) January 3, 2026

In the past, Beijing has maintained that it was “deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state.”

January 4, 2026, 12:17:33 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: How world leaders reacted to Maduro's capture

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: World leaders, including China, Russia, and several Latin American countries, condemned the US action in Venezuela as a violation of sovereignty and international law, prompting an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and Delcy Rodriguez attend the Expo Motores Productivo, showcasing agri‑food and industrial sector production, as US President Donald Trump’s administration ramps up pressure on Maduro’s government, in Caracas, on, December 22, 2025. Miraflores Palace/Handout via Reuters

Here’s a look at how the world leaders reacted to the ongoing tensions.

January 4, 2026, 11:52:21 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: What is 'Donroe Doctrine'? Why is it relevant?

During the Saturday presser at Mar-a-Lago resort, the US president commented on how the Venezuelan operation advanced his “America First” priorities.

Trump said, “American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again”. The American leader noted that the attack closely aligns with the “Monroe Doctrine” – named after the fifth president of the US, James Monroe, which Trump rebranded the “Donroe Doctrine”.

The Monroe Doctrine was an early 19th-century American foreign policy that asserted the Western Hemisphere should be free from influence by European powers. In 1904, when European creditors threatened Latin American countries, then President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the doctrine, allowing the US to step in if the countries could not manage their own stability.

LIVE ON @NEWSMAX: President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio detail the military operation to capture Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/tXBONmtmvT
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 3, 2026

US President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth look on during a press conference following a US strike on Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Reuters

In the span of the next two decades, the doctrine served as justification for US intervention in Haiti, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

January 4, 2026, 11:32:09 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Is Trump's capture of Maduro legal? | FP Explained

A daring operation by US troops has culminated with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Now, Maduro has been brought to New York where he has been detained and awaiting trial on charges of ‘narco-terrorism’.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump declared that America would “run the country” for now.

January 4, 2026, 11:17:49 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Starlink to provide free broadband to Venezuela until Feb 3

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Amid the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, Elon Musk’s Starlink announced that it is providing free broadband services to people in Venezuela until February 3, following the US operation that ousted President Nicolás Maduro.

In a post on X, the company said it pledged “continued connectivity” to Venezuela, a country that is known to grapple with online censorship, with Maduro’s government having previously blocked Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms in the past.

US President-elect Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk explains the operations ahead of the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket, November 19, 2024, in Boca Chica, Texas. File Image/AP

The announcement came after metrics from Netblocks showed a sudden loss of internet connectivity in parts of Caracas on Saturday, which it said corresponded to “power cuts during the US military operation.” Local media also suggested that there are no internet connections in some parts of the capital.

January 4, 2026, 11:10:01 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: The story of Nicolas Maduro | FP Explained

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been captured by the US and now faces trial for ‘narco-terrorism conspiracy’. He began his career as a bus driver and then became a trade union leader. His foray into politics got him closer to Hugo Chavez, whom he succeeded as president.

Born in Caracas, Nicolas Maduro is a professed Marxist and Christian. As a teenager, he played guitar in a rock band called Enigma. He is a baseball fan and dances salsa, often in front of cameras.

Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, flanked by his wife Cilia Flores and Delcy Rodriguez, at a special session of the National Constituent Assembly to take oath after he was re-elected president at the Palacio Federal Legislativo in Caracas, Venezuela, May 24, 2018. File photo/Reuters

He was the son of a political activist and joined the socialist league as a student. He began his career as a bus driver and then became a trade union leader. That opened the door to politics.

January 4, 2026, 10:01:17 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Flights set to resume over Caribbean as tension simmers down

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said that the American flights over are set to resume from midnight Eastern Time.

“The original restrictions around the Caribbean airspace are expiring at 12:00 am ET, and flights can resume,” Duffy said in a post on X on Saturday.

It is pertinent to note that much of the Caribbean airspace has been closed since the United States struck Venezuela, captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and flew them out of the country. Hundreds of flights from Caribbean airports were cancelled or delayed in light of the current situation.

January 4, 2026, 09:46:02 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: UN official condemns US ops

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: , Special Rapporteur to the , took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to condemn the US operation in Venezuela. “I condemn the US’s illegal aggression against Venezuela & the illegal abduction of its leader & his wife. Every Venezuelan life lost is a violation of the right to life,” he said in a post.

I condemn the US’ illegal aggression against Venezuela & the illegal abduction of its leader & his wife. Every Venezuelan life lost is a violation of the right to life. President Trump should be impeached & investigated for the alleged killings https://t.co/3OjWtOQ1hE
— Prof Ben Saul - UN SR Human Rights & Counterterror (@profbensaul) January 3, 2026

“President Trump should be impeached & investigated for the alleged killings,” he furthered.

January 4, 2026, 09:26:27 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: At least 40 killed in the US strike on Venezuela

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: According to a report by , at least 40 people were killed in US strikes on Venezuela. The news outlet cited an unnamed Venezuelan official who discussed the findings of preliminary assessments.

The report stated that those killed included civilians and military members, and that a US air strike hit a three-storey residential building in the neighbourhood, located in a poor coastal area west of the Caracas airport.

The authorities noted that among those killed in the strike was an 80-year-old woman named Rosa Gonzalez and her family. Another person was also reported injured in the strike.

Picture of fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. Loud explosions, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard in Caracas around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on January 3, an AFP journalist reported. The explosions come as US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a navy task force to the Caribbean, raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela. (Photo by Luis JAIMES / AFP)

Picture of fire at , Venezuela’s largest military complex, after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026. Loud explosions, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard in Caracas around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on January 3, an AFP journalist reported. The explosions come as US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a navy task force to the Caribbean, raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela. (Photo by Luis JAIMES / AFP)

January 4, 2026, 09:15:58 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: What's next for Maduro

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Leon Fresco, a former deputy assistant attorney general at the US Department of Justice, said that Maduro will be “arraigned in court” either on Monday or Tuesday, “for the crimes of conspiracy and drug trafficking”.

“He will have to either plead guilty or not guilty. Most people plead not guilty in this situation, and then he will be asking for bond, at which time most likely be denied because you know he is an international leader and he’s a very likely fugitive if he were to be sent out on bond,” Fresco told Al Jazeera.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro being walked in custody down a hallway at the offices of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in New York City. @RapidResponse47/Reuters

The Venezuelan president will have the option for what’s called a speedy trial, which requires proceedings to be held within 70 days. If he waives that right, “then the trial could take up to a year or two years, and there’s going to be a lot of jurisdictional arguments,” said Fresco.

January 4, 2026, 09:04:08 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Hegseth reiterates US will 'set the terms' of what comes next

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: In an interview with CBS News on Saturday night, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth lauded the American troops involved in the mission to capture Maduro. “I saw the best of America, I saw men and women dedicating their lives to defending our country and to accomplish that mission,” he told the American news outlet.

“President Trump gave them a clear mission, and they finished it.” In the interview, Hegseth emphasised that the “brave decision” to capture the Venezuelan president was made in the name of “freedom, security, prosperity,” despite suggestions from Trump earlier that American oil interests factored into the decision.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth gestures as he speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, on the day of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the US Navy’s Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, Japan, October 28, 2025. File Image/Reuters

“We set the terms,” said the defence secretary, on what happens next in Venezuela. “President Trump has shown American leadership, and he will be able to dictate where we go next.”

January 4, 2026, 08:34:16 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: South American nation remains on 'high alert' amid uncertainities

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: While there was initial joy in Venezuela that Maduro was taken out, there is still uncertainty about the country’s future.

There have been long lineups of people trying to get food, trying to get gas, and people are trying to stay at home as well and not leave, CNN reported. Everyone remains on high alert, wondering what the future holds for them.

Venezuelan citizens living in Spain celebrate in Madrid on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on Venezuela.- AFP

January 4, 2026, 08:18:47 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: White House shares video of apparent perp walk by Maduro

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: As Maduro arrived in New York, the White House’s official rapid response account posted video of what appeared to be a perp walk by ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

🇺🇸🇻🇪 | URGENTE: Maduro llevado a la oficina de la DEA en Nueva York: pic.twitter.com/9icI84CNX5
— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) January 4, 2026

“Perp walked,” Rapid Response 47 wrote above the video, which shows Maduro, in a black hooded sweatshirt, walking down a hallway with a blue carpet labelled “DEA NYD.” In the video, Maduro appeared to wish an onlooker “Happy New Year”.

January 4, 2026, 08:04:00 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuelan court says Delcy Rodriguez will serve as temporary president

The Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela’s Supreme Court has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to serve as acting president following the capture of Maduro and his wife by US forces on Saturday.

The court ruled on Saturday that Rodriguez will assume “the office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the Nation”.

The court also said that it would work to “determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee the continuity of the State, the administration of government, and the defence of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of the President of the Republic”.

January 4, 2026, 07:46:02 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Maduro, wife arrive at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn after he was brought by helicopter to Manhattan and escorted to the facility by a motorcade of law enforcement vehicles, the New York Police Department confirmed to CNN.

Interestingly, several high-profile federal cases, such as those involving Sean “Diddy” Combs and Sam Bankman-Fried, have been held at the detention centre. The Venezuelan president is set to face drugs and weapons charges in a Manhattan federal court next week.

January 4, 2026, 07:35:26 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Nationwide protests against US ops in Venzuela take over the country throughout Saturday

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Multiple protests took place across the United States on Saturday, soon after US President Donald Trump confirmed the military operation in Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

According to CNN, in cities like Washington, DC, New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles, crowds of up to 100 people marched, chanted and waved Venezuelan flags. Some even braved treacherous weather conditions to make their voices heard against the military strikes.

While some Venezuelans in the US celebrated the news, many people protesting held signs with phrases like “No War on Venezuela” and “US hands off Latin America” — pointing to building frustration over the potential of war over oil, of which Venezuela holds the world’s leading reserves.

Protesters gather outside the White House to denounce the US military operation in Venezuela on Saturday.

Protesters gather outside the White House to denounce the US military operation in Venezuela on Saturday. AP

“All the United States sees is dollar signs,” Kameron Hurt, an organiser for the Party for Socialism and Liberation, told CNN, while at the protest in Los Angeles. “They don’t see actual human beings who are trying to live good lives. That’s why they bomb this country in the middle of the night.”

January 4, 2026, 07:24:16 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Maduro, wife arrive in New York to face charges

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: A plane believed to be carrying Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, after they were captured by American troops, has landed near Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York.

Maduro is expected to be taken by helicopter to the city, where he will be processed and transported to the Metropolitan Detention Centre prison, officials told NBC News. They noted that the Venezuelan president is to appear in court by Monday evening.

A plane believed to be carrying Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, after they were captured by American troops, has landed near Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York.

January 3, 2026, 23:39:33 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump says Venezuela VP told Rubio willing to cooperate with US

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has said she is ready to work with Washington, after the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro was seized to face trial in New York.

Trump told reporters that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “just had a conversation with her, and she’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.”

The US president also said that Washington was “not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to” after the spectacular nighttime raid.

January 3, 2026, 23:18:10 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: After Venezuela, Trump hints at broader US focus on Cuba

US President Donald Trump on Saturday indicated that Cuba could become a topic of discussion as part of broader US policy in the region, highlighting the potential for Washington to expand its focus beyond Venezuela amid rising tensions in Latin America.

January 3, 2026, 23:15:13 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Germany urges political solution for Venezuela crisis

Germany’s foreign ministry on Saturday called for a political solution in Venezuela where the United States attacked and captured leader Nicolas Maduro.

“We call on all involved parties to avoid an escalation of the situation and to seek ways for a political settlement,” said a written communication obtained by Reuters after a crisis team had met at the ministry.

“International law has to be respected … Venezuelans deserve a peaceful and democratic future,” it added.

The ministry said it was in close contact with the embassy in Caracas and a travel warning had been issued.

January 3, 2026, 23:13:05 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US action sets 'dangerous precedent', says UN chief on Venezuela

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is deeply alarmed by U.S. military action in Venezuela that sets “a dangerous precedent,” his spokesperson said on Saturday ahead of a likely U.N. Security Council meeting.

Venezuela and Colombia, backed by Russia and China, have asked for the 15-member Security Council to meet, diplomats said, after the U.S. attacked Venezuela and deposed its long-serving autocratic President Nicolas Maduro. The meeting has not yet been scheduled.

“These developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. “The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect – by all – of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected.”

The U.N. Security Council has met twice – in October and December – over the escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela.

January 3, 2026, 23:05:44 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: 'Months of planning and rehearsal' for Maduro seizure: US

The US military operation to extract Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a nighttime raid in Caracas took “months of planning and rehearsal,” and more than 150 US aircraft were used, top US General Dan Caine told reporters Saturday.

“The word integration does not explain the sheer complexity of such a mission, an extraction so precise — it involved more than 150 aircraft launching across the Western Hemisphere,” Caine told a joint press conference with President Donald Trump.

January 3, 2026, 23:04:23 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuela's Maduro, wife 'gave up' to US forces: top general

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores surrendered to US forces in Caracas, before being extracted from the country to face federal drug trafficking-related charges in New York, a top US general said Saturday.

“Maduro and his wife, both indicted, gave up and were taken into custody by the Department of Justice, assisted by our incredible US military with professionalism and precision, with no loss of US life,” General Dan Caine, the chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, told a press conference.

January 3, 2026, 23:02:23 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump tells Colombia’s Petro to ‘watch his ass’ after Maduro seizure

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that his Colombian counterpart Gustavo Petro — with whom he has sparred in recent months — should “watch his ass” after the US military operation to seize Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

“He’s making cocaine and they’re sending it into the United States, so he does have to watch his ass,” Trump told a press conference.

Petro described Washington’s actions as an “assault on the sovereignty” of Latin America and said they would result in a humanitarian crisis.

January 3, 2026, 22:41:30 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: More than 150 aircraft used in Venezuela operation: top US general

More than 150 US military aircraft were deployed in operations against Venezuela, a senior American general said on Saturday, offering the clearest indication yet of the scale of the strikes ordered by President Donald Trump.

January 3, 2026, 22:29:54 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump says US caused Caracas blackout to seize Maduro

President Donald Trump said Saturday the US military caused a blackout in the Venezuelan capital Caracas so it could carry out a stunning operation to seize leader Nicolas Maduro.

“It was dark. The lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have,” Trump told a press conference.

January 3, 2026, 22:28:28 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump says US oil companies will rebuild Venezuela’s oil infrastructure

President Donald Trump said Saturday he would allow American oil companies to head into Venezuela to tap its massive crude reserves after a US military operation to seize the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro.

“We’re going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure and start making money for the country,” Trump told a press conference.

January 3, 2026, 22:26:22 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump says US 'will run' Venezuela until 'safe' transition

President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States will “run” Venezuela until a political transition can occur, after the spectacular US military operation to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from the country.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump told a press conference, adding that US forces were ready to conduct a second, “much bigger” wave of strikes if necessary.

January 3, 2026, 22:25:08 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump posts photo of handcuffed, blindfolded Maduro

This image posted on US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social account on January 3, 2026, shows what President Trump says is Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro onboard the USS Iwo Jima after the US military captured him on January 3, 2026.- AFP

President Donald Trump posted a photo Saturday of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in custody on a US naval ship and wearing both a blindfold and handcuffs.

“Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, along with a picture showing Maduro hours after he was snatched by US forces.

The Venezuelan leader had on what appeared to be noise-canceling ear muffs and grey Nike-branded sweatpants and jacket.

January 3, 2026, 22:19:15 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: With capture of Maduro, Trump claims successful operation as he treads into uncharted territory

With the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump and his allies are calling the audacious military operation a major success as the U.S. leader once again demonstrated a willingness to use U.S. forces for risky missions that come with a potential big payoff.

The operation has ousted a South American strongman blasted by Trump’s administration as an “illegitimate” dictator and a “,” a scourge responsible for a steady stream of illegal drugs poisoning the U.S. and Europe.

“It was a brilliant operation, actually,” Trump told The New York Times shortly after U.S. forces were cleared from Venezuelan airspace. He later added in an appearance on “Fox & Friends” that some U.S. troops were injured in the strike but none were killed.

January 3, 2026, 22:01:21 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: China calls US strikes on Venezuela a ‘hegemonic move,’ condemns capture of Maduro

China condemned the US airstrikes on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, calling the actions a hegemonic move that seriously violates international law.

“China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the US’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state and its President,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to questions about President Donald Trump’s announcement of the airstrikes and Maduro’s capture.

January 3, 2026, 21:45:05 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: CIA source inside Venezuela helped track Maduro ahead of capture, part of coordinated US intelligence operation

A CIA source inside Venezuela’s government helped the United States track President Nicolás Maduro’s location prior to his capture, CBS News reported.

The New York Times first revealed the involvement of the source, who was part of a broader intelligence operation that included overhead surveillance and signals intelligence. The mission followed months of detailed planning and coordination between the CIA and the US Department of Defense.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has said the agency is renewing its focus on recruiting human intelligence sources, though it is unclear when this particular source was recruited. The US government has offered a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest.

January 3, 2026, 21:41:00 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuela opposition’s María Corina Machado says Maduro removed for refusing to negotiate

Venezuela’s opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado reacted to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, saying he was removed after refusing to negotiate, Reuters reported.

January 3, 2026, 21:29:13 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Israel welcomes US removal of Maduro, hopes for return of democracy

Israel welcomed the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro after he was captured and removed from power by US forces, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Saturday.

“Israel welcomes the removal of the dictator who led a network of drugs and terror and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and for friendly relations between the states,” Saar said on X.

January 3, 2026, 21:07:14 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Russia urges US to release Maduro and wife, calls him Venezuela’s ‘legally elected’ president

Russia demanded that the United States release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following their unexpected capture by US forces.

In a statement, Russia’s foreign ministry said it was “strongly urging” the US to reverse its action and free the “legally elected president of a sovereign state” and his wife.

January 3, 2026, 21:05:34 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: France says US operation capturing Maduro violates international law

France’s foreign minister said the US military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro violates the principles of international law.

January 3, 2026, 21:02:16 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US forces drag Maduro and wife from bedroom during capture, report says

US forces pulled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their bedroom during the raid that resulted in their capture, say reports.

January 3, 2026, 20:27:21 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump says US will be ‘very much involved’ in post-Maduro Venezuela, eyes oil sector

US President Donald Trump said the United States will play a major role in deciding what comes next for Venezuela, hours after US forces carried out airstrikes on Caracas and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the US would be “very much involved” in the post-Maduro phase and added that Washington would also be “very strongly involved” in Venezuela’s oil industry.

January 3, 2026, 20:15:14 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Maduro and wife aboard US warship, to be prosecuted in New York, says Trump

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife are aboard a US warship and will be prosecuted in New York, the Associated Press reported.

January 3, 2026, 20:13:20 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Maduro latest leader to learn Trump ‘means what he says,’ says JD Vance

US Vice President JD Vance said Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is the latest leader to learn that President Donald Trump “means what he says,” while praising US forces for carrying out what he described as a bold and highly effective airstrike operation.

The president offered multiple off ramps, but was very clear throughout this process: the drug trafficking must stop, and the stolen oil must be returned to the United States. Maduro is the newest person to find out that President Trump means what he says.

Kudos to our brave… pic.twitter.com/b1fqkdbB4x
— JD Vance (@JDVance) January 3, 2026

January 3, 2026, 20:01:25 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump says US waited four days for Venezuela operation

US President Donald Trump said the United States waited four days to carry out the operation in Venezuela due to weather conditions and that he is now deciding on the next steps regarding leadership in Caracas.

“We waited four days for the operation, for better weather,” Trump was quoted by Reuters as saying, adding that he is “making a decision on what’s next for Venezuela’s leadership.”

January 3, 2026, 19:56:53 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Brazil’s Lula says US strikes and Maduro’s capture cross ‘unacceptable line’

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Saturday that US strikes on Venezuela and the capture of the country’s president crossed an “unacceptable line.”

In a post on X, Lula said the actions amounted to a serious violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and set a dangerous precedent for the international community. He added that Brazil’s condemnation of the use of force is consistent with its longstanding position and warned that the move echoed the worst episodes of interference in Latin American and Caribbean politics, threatening the region’s status as a zone of peace.

January 3, 2026, 19:55:09 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Maduro captured at Fuerte Tiuna residence, ruling party leader calls it ‘kidnapping’

Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernandez told The Associated Press that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were at their residence inside the Fuerte Tiuna military complex when they were captured.

“That’s where they bombed,” Fernandez said, adding that what happened there amounted to what he described as the “kidnapping” of the president and the country’s first lady.

January 3, 2026, 19:02:45 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump administration informed Congress of Maduro operation only after it took place

The Trump administration began notifying congressional leaders and key committees about the operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro only after it had been carried out, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The administration cited President Donald Trump’s authority as commander-in-chief under Article II of the US Constitution to justify the action. Earlier, Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah said on social media that Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him the operation was intended to protect US personnel involved in Maduro’s arrest and is legally supported by Article II.

While previous US military operations typically involved prior notification to Congress, the Trump administration has often bypassed this step. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles had previously told Vanity Fair that any US strikes in Venezuela would require congressional approval.

January 3, 2026, 18:26:19 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Mexico condemns US strikes on Venezuela, warns of threat to regional stability

Mexico’s government condemned the US strikes on Venezuela, warning that unilateral military action “seriously jeopardizes regional stability.”

In a statement, the Mexican foreign ministry said it “strongly condemns and rejects the military actions carried out unilaterally in recent hours by the armed forces of the United States of America against targets on the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”

January 3, 2026, 18:24:23 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US indicts Maduro and wife in New York's Southern District, AG Bondi says

US Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced on Saturday that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York.

Maduro faces charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons against the United States. Bondi said they will soon face “the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts.”

In a post on X, she thanked President Trump for demanding accountability on behalf of the American people and praised the US military for conducting the “incredible and highly successful mission” to capture the alleged international narco traffickers.

January 3, 2026, 18:22:29 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: UK not involved in US strikes on Venezuela, says PM Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was not involved in the US strikes on Venezuela and expressed his intention to speak with President Donald Trump to understand the full situation.

“I want to establish the facts first. I want to speak to President Trump and to our allies. I can be absolutely clear that we were not involved, and I have always maintained that we should uphold international law,” Starmer said in a statement to British broadcasters.

January 3, 2026, 18:03:13 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Iran condemns US 'military attack' on Venezuela, calls them violation of sovereignty

Iran strongly condemned the US strikes on Venezuela, denouncing them as a “military attack” and a blatant violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, AFP reported.

January 3, 2026, 17:58:29 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuela says PDVSA oil facilities unharmed, La Guaira port damaged

Venezuela’s state-run energy company PDVSA reported that oil production and refining continued as normal on Saturday, with its key facilities sustaining no damage from US strikes aimed at capturing President Nicolás Maduro, according to two sources familiar with the company’s operations.

Reports say that the port of La Guaira, near Caracas and one of the country’s largest ports (though not used for oil operations), was reported to have suffered significant damage.

January 3, 2026, 17:52:26 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump approved Maduro’s capture days ago, CIA tracked him, says report

US President Donald Trump reportedly approved the capture of Nicolás Maduro several days ago, with the operation carried out by the US Army’s Delta Force, CNN reported, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The CIA had been tracking Maduro’s location, following Trump’s authorisation for covert operations in Venezuela months earlier. According to a GOP senator citing Marco Rubio and the source, Maduro was arrested to face trial in the United States, though his exact whereabouts remain unclear.

January 3, 2026 at 17:33:46 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Russia calls US actions in Venezuela ‘aggressive'

Russia expressed concern over what it described as “aggressive actions by the United States” and demanded immediate clarification on the situation in Venezuela.

The Russian foreign ministry said that if the reported events occurred, they would represent an “unacceptable violation of the sovereignty of an independent state.” Reuters reported that Moscow was “extremely concerned by reports that Venezuela’s Maduro and his wife were forcibly removed from the country during today’s aggressive action by the United States.”

January 3, 2026 at 17:20:55 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuela condemns US airstrikes as ‘terrorist attack,’ says military on high alert

Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello condemned the US airstrikes as a “criminal and terrorist attack” targeting the nation’s people and critical infrastructure, urging citizens to stay calm and trust the government.

Speaking from Caracas after assessing the damage, Cabello said the military and police were on high alert and “ready for any situation that threatens the peace of our country.” He called on Venezuelans to exercise restraint and warned against despair, adding, “This is not the first battle waged against our people.”

January 3, 2026 at 17:06:18 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: EU urges restraint, respect for international law

On Saturday, the European Union urged restraint and respect for international law in Venezuela following President Donald Trump’s announcement that US forces had captured Nicolás Maduro in a major operation.

EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said on X that while the bloc has consistently questioned Maduro’s legitimacy and supported a peaceful transition, “under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.” She made the remarks after speaking with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

January 3, 2026 at 16:51:01 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: No US troops harmed in Venezuela strikes, operation went as planned

A US official said no American troops were injured during the strikes in Venezuela, adding that the operation involving President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas proceeded exactly as planned.

January 3, 2026 at 16:45:06 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuela seeks urgent UN Security Council meeting after US attack

Following the US attack, Venezuela has called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council, Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto said.

In a post on Telegram, Gil said no “cowardly attack” would overcome the strength of the Venezuelan people, sharing the letter sent to the UN, CNN reported.

January 3, 2026 at 16:40:44 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Hours before US strikes, Maduro met Chinese delegation led by Xi’s envoy

Just hours before the US airstrikes on Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro met a Chinese delegation led by Qiu Xiaoqi, China’s Special Envoy for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, representing President Xi Jinping.

The delegation also included China’s Ambassador to Venezuela Lan Hu, Liu Bo, Director of the Latin America and Caribbean Department at the Chinese foreign ministry, Wang Hao, Deputy Director of the department, regional attaché Liu Xen, and other officials.

January 3, 2026 at 16:39:14 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Germany watching Venezuela crisis with concern, FM says

Germany’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that it is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela with great concern, adding that a crisis team will meet later for further discussions.

In a written statement seen by Reuters, the ministry said it is in close contact with its embassy in Caracas and that the crisis team is scheduled to convene later on Saturday.

January 3, 2026 at 16:30:42 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: How powerful is Venezuela’s military?

According to Global Firepower’s 2025 Military Strength Ranking, Venezuela is placed 50th out of 160 countries assessed worldwide for military capability. In Latin America, it ranks behind countries such as Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.

In terms of manpower, Venezuela is reported to have about 120,000 active-duty personnel and around 100,000 reservists, along with more than 220,000 members in the National Guard. The air force is estimated to have roughly 20,000 personnel, the army about 115,000, and the navy around 25,500.

January 3, 2026 at 16:26:27 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Spain offers to mediate US-Venezuela crisis, urges de-escalation

Spain on Saturday offered to mediate in the crisis between the United States and Venezuela following US strikes on Caracas and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, who was flown out of the country.

In a statement, Spain’s foreign ministry called for de-escalation and restraint, saying it is ready to offer its good offices to help achieve a peaceful, negotiated solution to the crisis.

January 3, 2026 at 16:23:18 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US senator says Maduro arrested, to face trial in United States

US Republican Senator Mike Lee said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been arrested by US forces and will be taken to the United States to face criminal charges.

Lee added that Rubio expects no further action in Venezuela now that Maduro is in US custody.

January 3, 2026 at 16:14:29 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Russia condemns US ‘armed aggression’ against Venezuela, seeks UN Security Council meeting

Russia condemned what it described as US “armed aggression against Venezuela” following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in Caracas.

Moscow said the US action had caused deep concern and deserved strong condemnation. It stressed that Latin America should remain a zone of peace and that Venezuela has the right to determine its future without external military interference. Russia also supported calls by Venezuela and other Latin American countries for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

January 3, 2026 at 16:13:05 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US senator says Rubio ruled out further strikes in Venezuela

A US senator quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying that no further strikes are planned in Venezuela, AFP reported.

January 3, 2026 at 16:12:19 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Colombian President lists US strike targets in Caracas

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has released a list of locations in Caracas targeted by the US Air Force, covering military and government sites as well as the mausoleum of former President Hugo Chavez.

The list includes:

Fuerte Tiuna, Caracas’ main military base
La Carlota, the city’s primary airbase
El Volcan, the main radar facility
La Guaira Port, Venezuela’s main port
Iguerote Airport, an airbase in Miranda state

January 3, 2026 at 15:43:40 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuela demands proof of life for Maduro and wife after Trump claims capture

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said on state television that the country is demanding proof of life for President Maduro and his wife after Trump claimed they had been “captured.” She also said the government is currently unaware of their precise location.

January 3, 2026 at 15:41:13 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump calls recent US strikes a ‘brilliant operation'

In a phone interview with The New York Times, US President Donald Trump described the recent strikes as a “brilliant operation,” praising the planning and troops involved. He did not clarify whether he sought congressional approval, saying he would address it at an upcoming news conference.

January 3, 2026 at 15:36:19 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Colombian president deploys troops to Venezuela border after US attacks

Colombian President says troops have been deployed to the Venezuela border following US attacks.

January 3, 2026 at 15:31:51 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: No confirmation from Venezuela on Maduro and wife’s capture

The Venezuelan government has not confirmed reports of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife being captured.

January 3, 2026 at 15:30:24 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Venezuela will resist foreign troops, defence minister says

Venezuela will resist the presence of any foreign troops, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said in a video message early on Saturday, as US President Donald Trump claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and was being removed from the country.

Padrino alleged that a US attack carried out in the early hours struck civilian areas. He said authorities were compiling information on those killed and injured.

January 3, 2026 at 15:05:56 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: Trump confirms US attack against Venezuela

US President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed that the US conducted a “large-scale strike” in Venezuela, after explosions were heard in the capital city of Caracas. Trump also claimed that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been “captured” and “flown out of Venezuela” after the attack.

January 3, 2026 at 14:44:05 (IST)

Venezuela-US conflict LIVE: US Senate panel not notified ahead of Venezuela strikes, CNN reports

The US Senate Armed Services Committee was not notified in advance about any potential military strikes in Venezuela, a source familiar with the matter told CNN on Saturday morning.

According to the report, officials in the Trump administration have not committed to briefing congressional committees ahead of possible military action, despite some lawmakers saying they should be informed beforehand. Venezuela has accused the US military of “military aggression” following explosions that rocked the country early on Saturday.

Amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on drug cartels, tensions between Venezuela and the US appeared to escalate after the Venezuelan government blamed Washington for a series of powerful explosions that rocked the capital, Caracas, in the early hours of Saturday.

While official confirmation that the explosions were caused by US airstrikes was still awaited, a CBS reporter said on X that President Trump had ordered strikes on targets inside Venezuela, including military facilities.

Venezuela explosions | Key points

Multiple explosions and what were described as sounds of low-flying aircraft were heard early Saturday in Caracas and several other areas.

Loud blasts accompanied by noises resembling aircraft flyovers were reported around 2 am (0600 GMT) in the capital, AFP reported, citing its journalist.

Unverified visuals circulated on social media, purportedly showing the moment explosions struck Caracas. One video claimed to show large blasts at Higuerote Airport, about 87 km east of the capital.

According to a statement by the Venezuelan government, the attacks occurred in Caracas as well as in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.

Following the incidents, President Nicolas Maduro declared a and called on social and political forces to “activate mobilisation plans.”