U.S. Night‑time Strike Seizes Maduro, Sparks Caracas Explosions and Regional Turmoil
Updated (2 articles)
US forces execute rapid strike, remove Maduro and Cilia Flores The United States launched a nighttime operation that seized President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, transporting them out of Venezuela within thirty minutes [1][2]. President Trump announced the action on social media, framing it as a decisive blow to the regime. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called the event “a new dawn” for the country, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that the “tyrant is gone.”
Caracas endures multiple low‑altitude explosions, residents take to streets At least seven explosions rocked Caracas as low‑flying aircraft swept over the capital, prompting residents to gather in public squares amid government calls to protest [1][2]. The Venezuelan government labeled the attack an imperialist aggression but provided no immediate casualty figures. Local authorities pledged a response, and neighboring Colombia prepared for a possible refugee influx [1].
U.S. maritime campaign tallies 35 boat strikes, over 115 deaths Since September, U.S. forces have targeted vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, reporting 35 confirmed strikes and a death toll exceeding 115 [1][2]. The campaign is presented as part of broader pressure on Maduro’s network, linking maritime actions to the overall strategy against the Venezuelan government.
Justice Department indictment and diplomatic fallout intensify crisis The 2020 indictment accuses Maduro of narcoterrorism, describing Venezuela as a criminal enterprise serving drug traffickers and terrorist groups, with a $55 million bounty on his head [2]. Russia condemned the strike as armed aggression, while the U.S. State Department warned Americans in Venezuela to shelter in place [1]. Regional actors remain uncertain about Venezuela’s leadership succession, heightening geopolitical tension.
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
AP: US strike on Venezuela leads to Maduro capture and regional upheaval: Details the strike, captures of Maduro and Flores, Caracas explosions, boat‑strike tally, and mixed regional reactions, emphasizing leadership uncertainty .
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[2]
AP: U.S. strikes Venezuela, Maduro captured and First Lady flown out, triggering regional crisis: Mirrors the strike narrative, adds the 2020 narcoterrorism indictment and reward bounty, and highlights U.S. officials’ framing of a political turning point .
Timeline
2020 – The U.S. Department of Justice indicts Nicolás Maduro on narcoterrorism charges, accusing him of turning Venezuela into a criminal enterprise that serves drug traffickers and terrorist groups; the indictment names 14 officials and offers a total of $55 million in rewards for Maduro and four others[2].
Sept 2025 – U.S. forces begin a campaign of boat‑strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, targeting vessels linked to the Maduro regime; by early January 2026 the tally reaches 35 strikes and at least 115 deaths, illustrating a broader pressure effort preceding the January operation[1][2].
Jan 3, 2026 (night) – U.S. forces launch a large‑scale nighttime strike in Venezuela; low‑flying aircraft sweep over Caracas, detonating at least seven explosions in under 30 minutes, and U.S. officials announce that President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores are captured and flown out of the country[1][2].
Jan 3, 2026 (hours later) – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social confirming the operation, framing it as a decisive blow against “imperial aggression” and signaling a dramatic turn in the Venezuela crisis[1].
Jan 3, 2026 (immediate aftermath) – Caracas residents hear and see the explosions, while the Venezuelan government labels the attack an “imperialist attack” and urges citizens to take to the streets; casualty figures remain unconfirmed as the situation unfolds[1][2].
Jan 3, 2026 (U.S. diplomatic response) – Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau declares the event “a new dawn for Venezuela” and declares “the tyrant is gone,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio reposts a July message asserting that Maduro is not the legitimate president, underscoring U.S. confidence in a regime change[1][2].
Jan 3, 2026 (regional and global reactions) – Colombia announces preparations for a potential refugee influx, Russia condemns the strike as armed aggression, and the U.S. State Department warns Americans in Venezuela to shelter in place, highlighting the operation’s wide‑reaching diplomatic fallout[1].