Rapid developments in Venezuela. US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been arrested and flown out of the country along with his wife. “We arrested Maduro and got him out of Venezuela,” said Donald Trump.
Donald Trump’s post
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said:
“The United States of America has successfully launched a large-scale attack against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who, along with his wife, has been arrested and flown out of the country. This operation was carried out in cooperation with US law enforcement authorities. Details will follow. Today at 11 am press conference will be held at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”.
Explosions and sirens
Explosions occurred in the early hours of the morning in the capital, Caracas, while air raid sirens sounded, according to eyewitnesses quoted by the Reuters agency.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the strike to Reuters. reported that Trump had ordered attacks on Venezuelan soil, on military installations in Caracas and elsewhere.
Immediately came the first reaction of President Nicolas Maduro, which declared the country in a state of emergency. “We denounce the US attack. The people should take to the streets, preparation for an armed struggle,” said Maduro, whose whereabouts remain unknown.
One of the facilities that appears to have been hit is Fort Tiuna on the south side of the city, Venezuela’s main military complex, which houses, among others, the Ministry of Defense and the Military Academy.
🔴 | Explosions in the south of Caracas, Venezuela.
Local reporters claim that a military target had been attacked.
— arocha (@pueblopatriota)
The announcement of the government
In a statement issued by the Venezuelan government, it is stated that it “denounces and denounces to the international community the very serious military aggression” of the US government.
Venezuela said the attacks targeted civilian and military targets in the city of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
The government has vowed to defend itself against attacks and accused the US of seeking regime change. “The whole country must be mobilized to defeat this imperialist aggression,” the government statement said, calling for an immediate convening of the United Nations Security Council.
The points hit
- Fuerte Tiuna – the main military base in Caracas
- La Carlota – the main air base in Caracas
- El Volcán signal antenna
- Port of La Guaira – a port on the Caribbean coast
“Leave immediately”
The US Embassy in Venezuela issued a statement on its website that it is aware of the explosions in and around Caracas. It urges Americans not to travel to Venezuela and “strongly” recommends that those there “depart immediately.”
The US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia is also warning US citizens not to travel to Venezuela.
Trump’s threats
Donald Trump previously left open the possibility of military intervention against Caracas for drugs. The US frontrunner, which has deployed a flotilla of warships in the Caribbean, has raised the possibility of land strikes against Venezuela and said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s days are “numbered”.
For his part, Nicolas Maduro rejected his claims about supporting the global drug trade. In an interview this week, he even accused the White House of trying to find a reason to attack Venezuela.
Bombing in Caracas Venezuelans pile up, to fight for the freedom of Venezuela.
— yhonn lyon (@yhonlyon)
ATTENTION 🚨 | VENEZUELA 🇻🇪
Early this Saturday, explosions were reported in Caracas. Unverified videos circulating on social networks show the moment of the explosions. Authorities have not yet confirmed the causes or the balance.
⚠️ Information in development.— ElTrino.Co (@EltrinoCo)
🚨🚨
The U.S. is attacking targets in Caracas Venezuela.
🛑 Reportedly, Dozens of US helicopters are dropping American paratroopers in the area
UPDATE: 🚨WAR IN VENEZUELA!
— Shiri_Sabra (@sabra_the)
Video with military helicopters
Videos on social media show military helicopters flying over Caracas. So far there is no update either from the US side, or from the Venezuelan side.
NOW: Multiple likely American helicopters airborne over Caracas, Venezuela
— Clash Report (@clashreport)
Damage to the port of La Guaira
IMAGES REVEAL DAMAGE IN THE PORT OF LA GUAIRA after the air attacks recorded hours earlier north of Caracas, where damage to key port infrastructure is observed, while Venezuelan authorities evaluate the impact and reports continue…
— Only Panas (@onlypanasec)
The bombing of the airport in the state of Miranda
🚨🇻🇪💥🇺🇸BREAKING | Shocking images show a massive explosion at Higuerote Airport in Miranda State, northern Venezuela. Secondary blasts and raging fires point to a strike on a Venezuelan Air Force surface to air missile launcher. The night sky is burning.
— WAR (@warsurveillance)
The testimonies
“From here we hear explosions near Fuerte Tuna, I live in the neighboring district of Valle. At the moment we are hearing something that sounds like a machine gun, like a defense against bombers,” 29-year-old Emmanuel Parababis told AFP, clarifying that he was not sure it was bombers. “We hear a lot of explosions and gunfire,” he added.
“I was sleeping when my girlfriend woke me up and they say they are bombing. I don’t see the explosions, but I hear the planes (…) We start getting ready at home, a bag with the most important things: passport, cards, cash, candle, change of clothes, canned goods. We’re charging everything that can be charged and we’re dressed just in case,” said 29-year-old Francis Peña.
!["In Venezuela, there is caution in expressing opinions. There are those who have celebrated [a detenção de Maduro]but very carefully"](https://lnginnorthernbc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1767553567_cnn-180x100.jpeg)