- 7 key updates on the developing Venezuela-U.S. situation, based on verified reporting
1. The United States carried out a large-scale military strike inside Venezuela early Jan. 3, with explosions reported in Caracas and other strategic locations. U.S. officials said the operation targeted military facilities and infrastructure.
2. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during the operation and flown out of the country, in what he described as a successful mission.
3. Trump said the couple are being transported to New York to face criminal charges, including drug-trafficking and narco-terrorism allegations previously brought by U.S. authorities.
4. The Venezuelan government condemned the strikes as an “act of aggression,” declared a state of emergency, and demanded proof of life for Maduro and Flores, while urging supporters to mobilise against the U.S. action.
5. International reactions have been mixed, with several nations—such as Spain and members of the European Union—calling for de-escalation and respect for international law, while others, including Russia and Iran, strongly criticized the U.S. intervention.
6. The U.S. State Department issued a warning to its citizens in Venezuela to shelter in place, underscoring the heightened risks amid military operations and the ongoing crisis.
7. Questions remain about the legality and broader regional impact of the U.S. strikes, with critics pointing to potential violations of international law and concerns about long-term implications for Venezuelan sovereignty and stability.
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