Trump Claims US Captured Maduro in Caracas Strikes as Explosions Rock Venezuela
Venezuela’s government accused the US of launching a series of attacks on civilian and military targets in the South American country, after explosions rocked its capital, Caracas, before dawn on Saturday.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) January 2, 2026: Venezuela’s government said in its statement that it had accused the US of launching a series of attacks on both civilians and military targets in the South American country — including bombings to its capital, Caracas, as explosions rocked Caracas in the early hours of Saturday.
Explosions, Low-Flying Jets Shake Capital in Early Hours
Explosions and low-flying planes were heard loudly blowing up Caracas in the early hours of Saturday. Venezuela’s government made a statement that said the city itself was under attack, in addition to three other states: Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua.
Venezuela has accused the US of seeking to “seize control” of state assets, especially oil and minerals. The country has also called on the international community to condemn what it called a flagrant violation of international law that puts millions of lives in jeopardy.
Trump Announces Maduro's Capture
The US President Donald Trump says that the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro was captured and flown out of the country accompanied by his wife.
Donald Trump said, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” on his Truth Social account.
Long-Standing Feud: Drugs, Oil, and Election Tensions
Trump has long accused both Maduro of fostering drug crime and driving migration to the United States. He has insisted that any US attack would be directed against drug traffickers.
Maduro, in return, has accused Trump of looking to colonise Venezuela, saying America seeks to occupy the country’s enormous fossil fuel reserves. The US is also part of an array of countries that opposed Maduro’s election win in 2024.
Colombia's Petro Warns of Regional Escalation Risks
Colombian president Gustavo Petro said his government is deeply concerned by reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity in neighbouring Venezuela, and issued warnings of escalating tensions in the region.
Colombia was watching developments in Venezuela with concern, Petro said, noting the reports from the past few hours and the possibility of further escalation.
“The Colombian Government rejects any unilateral military action that could worsen the situation or endanger the civilian population,” Petro said.
FAA Bans US Flights Over Venezuelan Airspace
The United States has prohibited its commercial airlines from flying in Venezuelan airspace over what the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) referred to as ongoing military activity, immediately following a battery of explosions occurring in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.
The FAA, the government body that oversees civil aviation, announced the prohibition ahead of reports that at least seven explosions were heard in Caracas.
US Embassy Urges Americans to Flee Venezuela Immediately
The US embassy in Bogota says it was familiar with the reports of explosions in and around Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and has repeatedly warned US tourists not to visit the country.
In a security notice, the embassy urged US citizens currently in Venezuela to leave the country as soon as safe to do so. It advised Americans to shun their travels to Venezuela, to take shelter if they were already there, and to keep all lines of communication open with family and friends outside the country.
