The Venezuelan government has issued a formal declaration of a State of External Commotion across its entire territory following what it characterizes as unprecedented military aggression by the United States. According to an official statement released on January 3, 2026, U.S. forces allegedly conducted attacks against both civilian and military installations in Caracas and surrounding states including Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.
President Nicolás Maduro has authorized the implementation of comprehensive national defense protocols in response to what Venezuelan authorities describe as a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. The government asserts that these actions represent not only an assault on Venezuelan sovereignty but also a direct threat to regional stability throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Venezuelan officials have framed the alleged incursion as an attempt to seize control of the nation’s strategic resources, particularly its substantial petroleum and mineral reserves, while simultaneously attempting to force regime change through military means. The government maintains that such efforts will ultimately fail, citing historical resistance to foreign intervention.
Notably absent from the Venezuelan statement was any acknowledgment of U.S. claims regarding President Maduro’s capture and removal from the country during overnight operations. This creates a significant discrepancy between the narratives presented by the two nations, with Caracas maintaining presidential authority and continuity of government operations despite Washington’s assertions to the contrary.
The declaration of a State of External Commotion enables extraordinary measures to protect civilian populations, ensure the continued functioning of state institutions, and coordinate national response to what Venezuela characterizes as external aggression.