BREAKING: U.S. Military Strikes Venezuela — Trump Says President Maduro Has Been Captured

By the Sona Times International Desk — January 3, 2026

Donald Trump and Nicolás Maduro  (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post and Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Saturday that American forces carried out a large-scale military operation against Venezuela, claiming that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country.

In a statement published on social media, Trump said the operation was conducted successfully and in coordination with U.S. security and law enforcement agencies. He did not disclose where Maduro and his wife were taken, nor did he provide operational details. Trump stated that more information would be shared during a press conference scheduled for later today.

The announcement came after a series of powerful explosions rocked Caracas during the early hours of Saturday. According to reports from residents, at least seven explosions were heard within a 30-minute period across different parts of the capital. Witnesses described tremors, intense noise, and aircraft flying at low altitude over the city, triggering panic and confusion.

Several neighborhoods in Caracas experienced electricity outages, particularly in areas near the La Carlota Air Base in the southern part of the city. Videos circulating on social media show columns of smoke rising from what appear to be military installations, along with military aircraft maneuvering overhead. The authenticity and full context of the images have not yet been independently confirmed.

The Venezuelan government has strongly condemned the reported U.S. military action, describing it as a violation of national sovereignty and an act of aggression. Authorities in Caracas rejected the claim that Maduro was captured and demanded proof of life from the United States. A nationwide state of emergency was declared, and security forces were placed on high alert.

International reaction has been swift, with governments and global organizations expressing concern over the escalation and warning of serious consequences for regional stability. Several countries called for urgent diplomatic discussions and emergency meetings at international forums to address the unfolding crisis.

As of publication, independent confirmation of Maduro’s capture and current whereabouts remains unavailable. The situation is rapidly evolving, raising uncertainty about the immediate political future of Venezuela and the broader impact on relations between the United States and Latin America.

President Trump is expected to provide further clarification during a scheduled press conference later today as the world watches closely for developments in one of the most dramatic confrontations in the region in decades.

This story is developing and may be updated as new information emerges.