Multiple explosions rang out, and low-flying plane swept by means of Caracas, the capital, as Maduro’s authorities instantly accused the United States of attacking civilian and army installations. The Venezuelan authorities known as it an “imperialist attack” and urged residents to take to the streets.
It was not instantly clear who was working the nation, and Maduro’s whereabouts weren’t instantly recognized. Trump introduced the developments on Truth Social shortly after 4:30 am ET. Under Venezuelan regulation, the vp, Delcy Rodriguez, would take energy. There was no affirmation that had occurred, although she did situation an announcement after the strike.
“We do not know the whereabouts of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodriguez stated. “We demand proof of life.” Maduro, Trump stated, “has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement. Details to follow.” He set a information convention for later Saturday morning.
The authorized implications of the strike beneath US regulation weren’t instantly clear. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted on X that he had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who briefed him on the strike. Rubio advised Lee that Maduro “has been arrested by US personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.” The White House did not immediately respond to queries on where Maduro and his wife were being flown to. Maduro was indicted in March 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges in the Southern District of New York.
Maduro last appeared on state television on Friday while meeting with a delegation of Chinese officials in Caracas.
The explosions in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, early on the third day of 2026 — at least seven blasts — sent people rushing into the streets, while others took to social media to report hearing and seeing the explosions. It was not immediately clear if there were casualties on either side. The attack itself lasted less than 30 minutes, and it was unclear if more actions lay ahead, though Trump said in his post that the strikes were carried out “successfully.” The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on US business flights in Venezuelan airspace due to “ongoing military activity” forward of the explosions.
The strike got here after the Trump administration spent months escalating stress on Maduro. The CIA was behind a drone strike final week at a docking space believed to have been utilized by Venezuelan drug cartels — the primary recognized direct operation on Venezuelan soil for the reason that US started strikes in September.
For months, Trump had threatened that he might quickly order strikes on targets on Venezuelan land following months of assaults on boats accused of carrying medication. Maduro has decried the US army operations as a thinly veiled effort to oust him from energy.
Following are reactions to Saturday’s U.S. strikes on Venezuela.
RUSSIA FOREIGN MINISTRY:
“This morning, the United States dedicated an act of armed aggression towards Venezuela. This is deeply regarding and condemnable.”
“The pretexts used to justify such actions are unfounded. Ideological animosity has prevailed over enterprise pragmatism and the willingness to construct relationships based mostly on belief and predictability.”
“In the present state of affairs, it is necessary, initially, to forestall additional escalation and to deal with discovering a method out of the state of affairs by means of dialogue.”
“Latin America should stay a zone of peace, because it declared itself to be in 2014. And Venezuela should be assured the correct to decide its personal future with none harmful, not to mention army, interference from outdoors.”
“We assist the assertion by the Venezuelan authorities and the leaders of Latin American nations calling for an instantaneous assembly of the UN Security Council.”
IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI:
“What issues is that when an individual realizes the enemy is arrogantly making an attempt to impose one thing on the nation, on the officers, on the federal government, and on the nation, one should stand firmly towards the enemy and naked one’s chest in resistance. We is not going to yield to the enemy.”
“Relying on Almighty God, trusting in God, and with confidence in the assist of the folks, God prepared and by divine grace, we are going to carry the enemy to its knees.”
SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY:
“Spain requires de-escalation and moderation, and for motion to all the time be taken in accordance with worldwide regulation and the ideas of the UN Charter.”
“In this regard, Spain is prepared to provide its good workplaces to obtain a peaceable and negotiated resolution to the present disaster.”
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO PRIME MINISTER KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR
“Earlier this morning, Saturday third January 2026, the United States commenced army operations throughout the territory of Venezuela.2
“Trinidad and Tobago is NOT a participant in any of these ongoing military operations. Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela.”
RODERICH KIESEWETTER, PROMINENT MP FROM GERMANY’S CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION:
“With President Trump, the U.S. are abandoning the rules-based order that has shaped us since 1945.”
“The coup in Venezuela marks a return to the old U.S. doctrine from before 1940: a mindset of thinking in terms of spheres of influence, where the law of force rules, not international law.”
“Trump is destroying what was left of any trust in the U.S.”
ITALIAN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER AND FORMER PRIME MINISTER GIUSEPPE CONTE:
“The American aggression against Venezuela has no legal basis. We are facing a blatant violation of international law, which certifies the dominance of the strongest and best equipped militarily… I hope that the entire international community will make its voice heard and that everyone will understand that if rules only apply to enemies and not to friends, no one can feel safe anymore. Nor can the illiberal nature of a government’s rule justify an attack to a sovereign state”.
INDONESIA’S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, YVONNE MEWENGKANG:
Indonesia is monitoring developments in Venezuela to guarantee the security of its residents.
“Indonesia also calls on all relevant parties to prioritize peaceful resolution through de-escalation and dialogue, while prioritizing the protection of civilians.”
“Indonesia emphasizes the importance of respecting international law and the principles of the UN Charter.”
BELGIUM’S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER MAXIME PREVOT:
“The safety of our citizens is a top priority. Our embassy in Bogotá, which is responsible for Venezuela, and our services in Brussels are fully mobilized. The situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with our European partners.”