Friday World – January 3, 2026
Early January 3, 2026, the capital of Venezuela, Caracas, was shaken by a series of powerful explosions that reverberated across the city.
Eyewitnesses reported that the blasts targeted key military installations, including the La Carlota military airfield in the city center and the Fuerte Tiuna main military complex.
Low-flying aircraft and helicopters** were observed in the skies, while widespread power outages plunged parts of the city into darkness, accompanied by rising plumes of smoke and visible flames.
This dramatic escalation marks the peak of months-long pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
On social media, Trump declared that U.S. forces had conducted a "large-scale strike" on Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were reportedly flown out of the country.
Trump described the operation as a "brilliant" success and stated that Maduro would face trial in the United States on charges related to drug trafficking and narcoterrorism.
The U.S. administration** has long accused Maduro's government of turning Venezuela into a major hub for drug trafficking, flooding the United States with narcotics.
In recent months**, Trump authorized strikes on dozens of drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, but this marks the first direct military action on Venezuelan soil.
The Pentagon and White House have not officially confirmed the strikes or the capture, though international media outlets have released videos and photos showing smoke rising from Fuerte Tiuna and fires at La Carlota.
The Venezuelan government condemned the events as a "grave military aggression" and a violation of the UN Charter.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez demanded immediate proof of life for Maduro, while opposition leader María Corina Machado noted that the attacks focused on military and communication sites.
Neighboring countries reacted strongly— Colombian President Gustavo Petro deployed troops to the border and called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting, while Cuba labeled the action "criminal."
These events unfold। amid a domestic political crisis for Trump, with his approval ratings declining, leading analysts to suggest the tough stance on Venezuela is an attempt to bolster his image.
Venezuela possesses some of the world's largest oil reserves, and the U.S. has long sought greater influence in the region.
*Panic has gripped Caracas residents, with one eyewitness describing the 2 a.m. blasts as feeling "like the earth shook as if a massive truck had crashed."
Many people took to the streets, and hospitals reported crowds of the injured.
The situation remains unclear — whether Maduro has truly been captured or if this is solely a claim by Trump; whether this signals the start of a full U.S.-Venezuela conflict.
This development** could trigger a major political earthquake across Latin America, with the world's attention now fixed on Trump's next statements and the response from Venezuela's military.
Peace is hoped for, but the depth of this crisis will become clearer in the coming hours.
Friday World – January 3, 2026
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
