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US strikes Venezuela: First image shows Maduro in American custody Video/Photo/Updated

03 January 2026 14:50

The first photograph of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following his detention by US authorities has been released.

The report was disseminated by the Ej Telegram channel.

14:34

The US attack on Venezuela has left an unspecified number of people dead and injured, Venezuelan officials said in statements. The number of casualties is still being assessed, they said, NYT reports.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro also mentioned that there were civilian casualties.

14:13

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, speaking on a state-run television station, says the whereabouts of Nicolás Maduro and his wife are unknown, and asks US President Donald Trump for a proof of life, NYT reports.

If President Trump’s claim is true, the Venezuelan constitution states that power would pass to Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, who runs economic policy.

14:02

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured early Saturday morning, January 3, by members of Delta Force, the US military's top special mission unit, US officials told CBS News.

The Army Delta Force was also responsible for the 2019 mission that killed former Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

13:50

American intelligence agencies reportedly succeeded in bribing officers and other individuals in Caracas to ensure that air defence systems were disabled and inactive at the time of the attack, according to the Voennoe Delo Telegram channel.

According to the report, the alleged actions were aimed at preventing Venezuela’s air defence systems from responding during the strike. No additional details were provided regarding the identities of those involved or the timing of the alleged coordination.

Earlier, it was reported that a reward of $50 million had been offered for information leading to the discovery of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s whereabouts.

13:29

US President Donald Trump says the US has carried out "large scale strike against Venezuela" and "captured its leader, President Nicolas Maduro" and his wife.

In the post on Truth Social, Trump said the operation was conducted in “coordination with US law enforcement” and that Maduro and his wife had been taken out of the country, Caliber.Az reports.

He added that further details would be released later and announced a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. at Mar-a-Lago.

13:08

Caracas International Airport is reportedly under the control of the US military and is preparing to receive aircraft and equipment.

MH-60M Black Hawk multi-purpose helicopters have also been spotted flying at extremely low altitudes over the Venezuelan capital, according to SHOT on Telegram.

A couple of months ago, crews practiced maneuvers over the Caribbean Sea.

13:01

Venezuela’s radar and air defence systems have reportedly been targeted in coordinated cyberattacks, followed by airstrikes and drone assaults, according to Military Affairs.

In response, the Venezuelan Armed Forces are attempting to deploy additional single Buk air defenve systems to bolster the country’s defenves.

Sources indicate that after the military strikes conclude, US President Donald Trump is expected to make a statement and issue an ultimatum demanding that President Nicolás Maduro step down and transfer power to the opposition.

12:49

The New York Times writes that the explosions in Venezuela's capital of Caracas have stopped, but US military aircraft remain in the air, sources say.

The White House will issue a statement on Venezuela after the US military leaves its airspace, The Wall Street Journal adds.

12:43

The US Senate Armed Services Committee was not notified ahead of time of any potential military action in Venezuela, a source familiar with the matter told CNN.

According to sources, Trump administration officials have not committed to informing Congressional committees ahead of potential land strikes in Venezuela, though some lawmakers have insisted that they should be notified before military action would be taken.

12:41

Several high-ranking officials in Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's administration were reportedly killed in US strikes, according to Military Observer on Telegram.

The oulet also reports a US strike on Venezuelan parliament. No official confirmation has been made yet.

12:14

The White House has confirmed that the United States is attacking Venezuela in the early morning hours of January 3, sources told Fox News.

12:00

Panic has spread across Caracas, with residents attempting to flee the city amid reports of approaching US troops.

🇻🇪 В Каракасе паника, люди пытаются покинуть город из-за приближения американского десанта, сообщает ТК «Военное дело».

Российское посольство не пострадало в результате взрывов в Каракасе — посол РФ pic.twitter.com/C3MunL8ti0
— Caliber (@Caliberaz) January 3, 2026

Meanwhile, Russian embassy in Caracas was not damaged by the explosions in the capital.

11:52

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto has denounced “grave military aggression” by the United States against Venezuelan territory, including strikes on civilian and military sites in Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.

According to the statement, the government states the attack violates the UN Charter and threatens regional peace. Caracas accuses Washington of seeking to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty and seize strategic resources, particularly oil and minerals.

President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the activation of national defence plans, declared a nationwide State of External Disturbance, and called for mass mobilisation of the population alongside the armed forces. Authorities also announced the deployment of national and regional defence commands.

"The objective of this attack is none other than to seize Venezuela’s strategic resources, particularly its oil and minerals, in an attempt to forcibly break the Nation’s political independence. They will not succeed. After more than two hundred years of independence, the people and their legitimate Government remain steadfast in defence of sovereignty and of the inalienable right to decide their own destiny. The attempt to impose a colonial war to destroy the republican form of government and force a 'regime change,' in alliance with the fascist oligarchy, will fail as all previous attempts have failed," the minister said.

Venezuela said it will file complaints with the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary-General, CELAC, and the Non-Aligned Movement, and asserted its right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, while calling for international solidarity.

11:45

US officials said President Donald Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, early on January 3, according to sources cited by CBS News.

In a post on X, CBS News senior White House correspondent Jennifer Jacobs reported that officials within the Trump administration have been monitoring the situation but have not yet issued an official public statement, Caliber.Az reports.

🚨BREAKING via @CBSNews: President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela including military facilities, U.S. officials said, as the administration early Saturday ratcheted up its campaign against the regime of President Nicolás Maduro. via @JimLaPorta and me
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 3, 2026

"Trump administration officials are aware of reports of explosions and aircraft over Venezuela's capital Caracas early this morning, sources tell @CBSNews," the journalist wrote.

11:36

A US Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker aerial-refuelling aircraft has appeared on flight-tracking data south of Puerto Rico, according to aviation monitors, adding to speculation as reports continue to emerge of explosions and possible airstrikes in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.

The KC-135R is a long-range refuelling aircraft typically used to support fighter jets, bombers and surveillance planes, Business Upturn reports.

A U.S. Air Force KC-135R “Stratotanker” Aerial-Refueling Tanker has just appeared on flight tracking to the south of Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/06AYPJhOWC
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026

11:31

Martial law has been declared in Caracas and several other cities in Venezuela following multiple strikes on the capital.

According to sources from Military Observer, Venezuelan military forces have been ordered to detain anyone found near critical infrastructure, including government buildings, military bases, and key utilities. Witnesses report heavy military patrols in the streets, with armoured vehicles seen surrounding key locations across the city.

Preliminary reports claims that Venezuelan Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López has been killed in a targeted US airstrike on his residence in Caracas.

11:26

The United States has issued an emergency directive banning all US civil and commercial aircraft from operating in Venezuelan airspace, citing growing safety concerns following explosions and rising tensions in the capital, Caracas.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the flight restriction, effective from 0600Z, applies to all aircraft at any altitude. This includes both passenger flights and cargo operations, Caliber.Az reports via Business Upturn.

The FAA's decision follows reports of multiple explosions and intense military activity in Caracas. Al Jazeera, Reuters, and the Associated Press have confirmed that the blasts, along with the sound of low-flying aircraft, have been heard in the vicinity of a major military base in the city. Local authorities have also reported widespread power outages.

According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, no commercial aircraft are currently visible over Venezuelan airspace. The FAA typically issues such advisories to ensure the safety of commercial aviation during periods of instability.

11:20

Russian Telegram channels have reported that Venezuelan army units have been deployed on the streets of Caracas. Armoured vehicles have been reportedly sighted near the residence of President Nicolás Maduro.

At the same time, Sky News Arabia claims that the Venezuelan defence minister's home and a key port in the capital have been shelled in a series of targeted strikes.

11:04

Explosions and military activity were heard in and around Venezuela’s capital early on January 3, including reported strikes on Venezuelan military targets, the La Guaira military base and Iguarote Airport in eastern Caracas.

Social media footage shows damage at both sites, while some reports claiming US Marines have landed on northern Venezuelan islands in the Caribbean Sea, Caliber.Az reports.

Footage of the aftermath of the reported US strike on the La Guaira military base.

Footage of the aftermath of the reported US strikes on targets at Iguarote Airport in eastern Caracas.

At this time, no official statements have been issued by Venezuelan or US authorities, and no confirmed information about casualties or damage has been released.

10:34

Reports emerged early on January 3 of a series of explosions in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, amid alleged strikes on military infrastructure. Sources indicate that key targets may have included Fort Tiuna and the Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda airbase.

Eyewitnesses and social media posts informed of powerful blasts and smoke in several parts of the city, with some neighbourhoods experiencing temporary power outages, Caliber.Az reports.

Video footage circulating online shows explosions and aircraft activity over Caracas.

Airplanes, loud noises and at least one column of smoke were being heard and seen in Caracas, according to Reuters witnesses, and the southern area of the city, near a major military base, was without electricity.

Additionally, a CNN team witnessed several explosions during the night in Caracas, and reported that some areas of the city were without electricity.

“One was so strong, my window was shaking after it,” CNNE correspondent Osmary Hernandez said.

The specific type of weapons used in the strikes has not been confirmed, though some sources have mentioned that high-precision RGM-109E cruise missiles and, possibly, AGM-86D missiles were used in the strikes.

Witnesses reported that the first explosion occurred around 1:50 a.m. local time, with some residents describing strong blasts that shook buildings.

As of publication, there have been no official statements from Venezuelan or US authorities regarding the attacks, and no reports of casualties or damage have been released.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump had warned of potential military action in Venezuela as part of efforts to pressure President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The US has previously increased its military presence in the region and imposed sanctions, alongside actions targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

By Sabina Mammadli

Caliber.Az

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