Trump Claims U.S. Forces Captured Venezuelan President Maduro After Large-Scale Strike

Former U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social claiming U.S. forces had carried out a 'large-scale strike' in Venezuela and that President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country.

“live Topic:Disasters, Accidents and Emergency Incidents US President Donald Trump says the US has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro”

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Several outlets present this as Trump's claim and note it has not been independently confirmed.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

BBC reports Trump's Truth Social post saying the US carried out a 'large scale strike against Venezuela' and that Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of the country.

Sky News similarly quotes Trump's post and explicitly says the claims have not been independently confirmed.

Samaa TV and The Guardian frame the report as Trump's statement and note the absence of independent verification.

Moneycontrol repeats the post but says it does not provide independent verification.

Multiple explosions and reports of low-flying aircraft were recorded around Caracas and neighbouring states before and during the reported incident.

Those events prompted power outages, thick smoke and a national emergency declaration by President Nicolás Maduro’s government.

BBC

Aviation authorities also issued safety notices.

KOB, livemint and GreekReporter described at least seven explosions and sightings of low-flying aircraft over Caracas, along with local power outages and smoke.

Thurrock Gazette and CBS News reported that the FAA banned U.S. commercial flights over Venezuela and nearby Curaçao because of ongoing military activity, and issued a safety notice to airmen.

Reports differ on U.S. operational involvement and official reaction.

“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”

Bhaskar English

Some outlets relay Trump's post and report limited or no immediate comment from the Pentagon or White House, while others cite sources saying the U.S. authorized strikes in advance.

BBC, The Telegraph and The Guardian note that Trump's social post offered little operational detail and that U.S. officials had not immediately confirmed the claim.

Kurdistan24 and KOB, citing U.S. officials and CBS reporting, say Trump had authorized land strikes days earlier and that U.S. officials were closely monitoring and involved in a wider pressure campaign.

Venezuela declared a national emergency and described the incident as an 'external disturbance'.

Countries including Iran and Cuba condemned the alleged U.S. action as a breach of sovereignty or as 'state terrorism'.

businessupturn

Iran's Foreign Ministry called the action a 'clear breach of Venezuela's sovereignty and a violation of the UN Charter,' according to The Indian Express.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the action as 'State terrorism,' reported kurdistan24.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for an emergency U.N. meeting.

Reports in livemint and The Indian Express say Venezuela has enacted mobilization and defense measures.

Observers and several outlets place the event within a longer U.S.-Venezuela confrontation that included naval buildups, seizures of tankers and a $50 million reward for Maduro.

“Updated on: January 3, 2026 / 4:42 AM EST/ CBS News President Trumpsaid in a Truth Social postearly Saturday morning that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of the Country," as he confirmed U”

CBS News

Some outlets also report legal and political questions raised in the U.S. about the strikes.

CBS News

Kurdistan24 and KOB outline a months-long pressure campaign featuring seizures, strikes on vessels and legal actions.

The BBC and The Telegraph note longstanding U.S. accusations against Maduro and the outstanding reward.

Several outlets, including The Telegraph and Financial Express, caution that the claims are extraordinary and require independent confirmation.