US Launches Military Strikes in Venezuela; Maduro Declares National Emergency

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s government reported that the United States military executed a series of strikes across key areas, including the capital, Caracas, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The alleged military actions, which witnesses reported included strong explosions and low-flying aircraft, began around 02:00 am local time in Caracas, where at least seven detonations were registered. In response, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro declared a national State of External Commotion and ordered the mobilization of defense forces to counter the perceived external aggression.

Specific locations reportedly targeted included vital military installations such as the La Carlota military airfield and Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, where subsequent power outages were reported in southern Caracas districts. The U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) responded by issuing a formal warning that banned all commercial flights originating from the U.S. from entering Venezuelan airspace due to evident safety risks. Anonymous U.S. officials confirmed to Reuters that strikes were underway inside Venezuelan territory, though they provided no specific operational details.

The Venezuelan administration characterized the event as the “gravest military aggression,” asserting it was a clear breach of the UN Charter, specifically Articles 1 and 2, and contended the objective was the forcible seizure of strategic assets, particularly oil and mineral wealth. This narrative contrasts with statements from anonymous U.S. officials who linked the action to Operation Southern Spear, a broader campaign authorized by President Donald Trump ostensibly to combat transnational drug trafficking. This direct military engagement follows a sustained period of heightened pressure, including a significant military buildup in the Caribbean commencing in August 2025 under Operation Southern Spear, which involved the deployment of assets like the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group by November 2025.

The preceding military escalation included maritime operations, such as airstrikes against vessels since September 2025, and a reported CIA land strike on a docking facility in late December 2025. The Venezuelan communiqué referenced historical precedents, citing President Cipriano Castro's proclamation during the 1902 blockade. Neighboring Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro immediately demanded urgent convening sessions of both the Organization of American States (OAS) and the UN Security Council following reports of missile strikes on Caracas.

The government of President Trump has maintained official silence, with the Pentagon referring inquiries to the White House, which declined to comment on responsibility for the Saturday morning strikes. The declaration of a State of External Commotion by President Maduro signifies a severe domestic emergency, granting him expanded executive authority to manage the crisis. Venezuela’s government indicated it will proceed with submissions to international bodies, including the UN Security Council, CELAC, and the Non-Aligned Movement (MNOAL), to challenge the legality of the action.