The attacks in Caracas, in the early hours of this Saturday (3), which culminated in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro, did not change the routine of Venezuela’s main football teams.
At the moment, there are no official competitions in the country, but hours after the explosions in the capital and in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira, the teams resumed training after a short break between the end of the national championship and the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Normal life?
Caracas FC is the main club in the country and resumed physical and tactical work this Saturday (3). Deportivo Táchira and Zamora also started activities on the same day.
Deportivo La Guaira announced reinforcements for the 2026 season.
The 2025 Venezuelan champion, Universidad Central, has not yet confirmed when it will resume preparations after the holidays.
The Venezuelan Football Federation has not yet commented on the crisis with the USA.
What is the football situation in Venezuela today?
The 2025 edition of the FUTVE League came to an end on December 6th. Universidad Central defeated Carabobo in the final of the tournament and became national champions.
There is still no definition of dates for the start of the national championship.
Uncertainty in Libertadores
em 2026: Carabobo, Deportivo Táchira, Deportes La Guaira and Universidad Central de Venezuela.
Among them, Táchira and Carabobo debut in the preliminary phase of the tournament. The first faces The Strongest-BOL, in the 1st phase of the pre-Libertadores. The matches are set for February 2nd and 9th, with the return game taking place in Venezuela.
In turn, Carabobo debuts in the second preliminary phase, against Huachipato-CHI. The games are scheduled for February 17th and 24th, with the second to be held in Venezuelan territory.
Deportes La Guaira and Universidad Central de Venezuela qualified directly for the group stage and will only play in the competition in April.
If the conflict progresses in Venezuelan territory, clubs may be forced to send games outside the country. A more pessimistic scenario would be for teams to be banned from leaving Venezuela, or even excluded from this season’s Libertadores.
The attacks
At least 40 people were killed in the United States attack in Venezuela on Saturday (3), according to a Venezuelan official interviewed by The New York Times. The offensive in the South American country allowed the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro, .
The action of the United States that captured the dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, came as a surprise to many. But according to Reuters news agency sources, planning for one of the most complex US operations recently had been underway for months and included detailed rehearsals.
Elite US troops, including the Army’s Delta Force, created an exact replica of Maduro’s hideout and practiced how they would enter the heavily fortified residence.
The CIA, the American intelligence agency, was able to provide information about Maduro’s standard of living, which made his capture easier, according to CNN and Reuters sources.
Two other sources told Reuters that the CIA also had an “asset” close to Maduro who monitored his movements and was ready to pinpoint his exact location as the operation unfolded.
With the pieces in place, but military and intelligence planners suggested he wait for better weather conditions and fewer clouds.
At 10:46 pm on Friday (2), Washington time, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces, General Dan Caine.
Then Trump attended one, in Palm Beach, Florida.
The details of the unfolding of the operation, which lasted hours, are based on interviews with four sources familiar with the matter and on details revealed by Trump himself.
Details of Maduro’s operation and extradition
The capture of Maduro and Flores was confirmed by President Donald Trump, who stated that the couple is on board the ship. The military mission, described as one of “impressive speed”, had the support of the CIA and American police to track and detain targets in Caracas.
The Attorney General of the United States, Pam Bondi, declared Maduro guilty of crimes against the country. Upon arrival on American soil, Maduro must be submitted to the judicial system to respond to outstanding arrest warrants.
The US government offered a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to his arrest, an amount updated in August 2025.
While the US Justice prepares the trial, the political situation in Venezuela remains uncertain, with the local government having declared a national emergency and the opposition monitoring a possible transition of power.
