Trump says Maduro has been captured and flown out' of Venezuela

"Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been captured and flown out of Venezuela, according to U.S. President Donald Trump on his social media platform Truth Social. The United States has carried out attacks inside Venezuela, Trump confirmed in the same message, after explosions were reported in civilian and military areas of the states of Miranda, Aragua, La Guaira, and the capital, Caracas."

"Shortly before 2:00 a.m., the sound of explosions woke Caracas residents as if the sky were thundering. Videos of aircraft flying overhead, along with flashes from explosions and columns of smoke, began circulating on social media. Initial reports indicate several airstrikes on the military base of Fuerte Tiuna the main base in Caracas, located in the south of the Venezuelan capital which has been left completely without power. A massive fire could be seen in the distance during the first minutes of the explosions, followed by an enormous cloud of gray smoke."

U.S. attacks and explosions occurred across Caracas and other Venezuelan regions in the early hours of Jan. 3, 2026, with aircraft and helicopters reported overhead. Videos and images showed flashes, columns of smoke, and low-flying aircraft over La Carlota, Fuerte Tiuna, Cuartel de la Montaña, Maracay, La Guaira, and Higuerote. Fuerte Tiuna lost power and a massive fire produced a large gray smoke cloud. U.S. President Donald Trump posted that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country and said the United States carried out strikes. The Maduro government called for armed struggle and described the actions as imperialist aggression.

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