NYT: At least 40 killed in US military operation in Venezuela

At least 40 people were killed during the U.S. military operation in Venezuela on January 3, including military personnel and civilians, a senior Venezuelan official told The New York Times.

According to NYT, the operation involved the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and was supported by a large-scale air campaign. Around 150 aircraft were used to suppress Venezuela’s air defense systems, enabling helicopters to deploy troops near key government facilities.

The newspaper noted that the operation was designed to neutralise resistance around strategic state institutions and facilitate Maduro’s capture. U.S. authorities have not officially commented on the reported casualty figures or the details of the operation.

On January 3, 2026, in a predawn operation involving large-scale U.S. airstrikes on military targets in Caracas and surrounding areas—including Fuerte Tiuna base, La Carlota airport, La Guaira port, and other facilities—the United States conducted a precision raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at their residence.

Elite Delta Force units then extracted them and transported the couple aboard the USS Iwo Jima en route to face trial in New York's Southern District.

By Khagan Isayev