United States President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, January 3, 2026, that US forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The announcement followed a series of “large-scale” airstrikes targeting military and strategic sites across the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
Okay News reports that the operation, described by President Trump as a joint effort with US Law Enforcement, resulted in the Venezuelan leader being apprehended and flown out of the country. Writing on Truth Social, the President stated, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader… details to follow.” A formal news conference is scheduled for 11:00 A.M. EST at the President’s Mar-a-Lago residence.
The military action began in the early morning hours with near-simultaneous explosions rocking key military installations. Eyewitnesses reported that Fuerte Tiuna, the country’s primary military base, and La Carlota, a central military airfield, were among the primary targets.
Residents in the capital described a terrifying scene as the valley of Caracas echoed with sounds “stronger than thunder,” causing buildings to vibrate and plumes of thick black smoke to rise over the city. Large sections of the surrounding communities are currently without power, and military helicopters have been sighted patrolling the skies above the presidential palace.
Venezuela Declares National Emergency
Before reports of the capture surfaced, the Venezuelan government issued a communique “repudiating and denouncing” what it termed an imperialist act of military aggression.
Maduro reportedly signed a decree declaring a “state of external commotion” throughout the national territory and ordered the implementation of all national defense plans.
Venezuelan officials argued that the strikes were an attempt to “seize strategic resources,” specifically targeting the nation’s oil and mineral wealth. They called on grassroots organizations and militias to mobilize in defense of the country.
