In a dramatic escalation of tensions, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced via Truth Social on January 3 that American forces had executed a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, resulting in the capture and extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from the country. Trump characterized the mission as a “brilliant operation” conducted with U.S. law enforcement coordination, promising further details at a Mar-a-Lago news conference.
Eyewitness accounts from Caracas described powerful explosions rocking the capital at dawn, with visible smoke plumes and unverified social media footage showing aerial military activity. The Venezuelan government confirmed strikes targeted key military installations including La Carlota airfield and Fuerte Tiuna base, with collateral damage causing power outages in surrounding communities.
The Venezuelan administration issued a formal statement vehemently denouncing what it termed “military aggression” aimed at seizing national oil and mineral resources. Regional allies Cuba and Colombia joined in condemning the operations, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister explicitly denied participation in the military actions.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) convened an emergency meeting, expressing “grave concern” about regional implications. This development follows years of strained relations, with Washington consistently challenging Maduro’s legitimacy and accusing his administration of narcotics trafficking, while Caracas maintains these actions represent imperialist designs on Venezuela’s natural resources.