In the predawn hours of January 3, 2026, an extraordinary and unprecedented U.S. military operation unfolded in the heart of Caracas, Venezuela’s capital.

Early reports indicate that the United States conducted extensive air, sea, and ground strikes across the country, targeting military installations.

Communications facilities, and strategic infrastructure. The mission culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, by U.S. forces — who then transported them to the United States to face federal criminal charges, including alleged narco‑terrorism and drug trafficking offenses.

However, independent reporting and official statements paint a more complex picture on the ground. Venezuelan authorities, along with reports from multiple international sources, state that at least 24 Venezuelan security personnel and 32 Cuban military personnel were killed during the strikes, with additional civilian casualties reported. Seven U.S. service members were wounded in the fighting.