USA’s Daring Strike on Venezuela: Maduro Captured in Midnight Raid – Narco-Terrorism or Oil Grab?
On January 3, 2026, the United States unleashed a bold military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a high-stakes raid. Washington calls it a strike against narco-terrorism, but the world is crying foul. Dive into the full breakdown of this seismic event shaking Latin America.
📅 Timeline of the Attack
The assault kicked off in the early morning hours of January 3, 2026, targeting key spots across Caracas and states like Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira. U.S. forces executed precision strikes with surgical efficiency.
💥 The Raid Unfolds
Explosions rocked Fuerte Tiuna military base and La Carlota airfield in Caracas, crippling Venezuelan defenses. Low-flying aircraft swooped in for coordinated hits on military infrastructure. In a cinematic midnight operation, special forces snatched Maduro and Flores, airlifting them straight to New York to face U.S. charges.
📌 Immediate Aftermath
Venezuela plunged into chaos with a declared national emergency. Maduro faces U.S. indictments for narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of destructive devices. The U.S. vows to oversee the government and oil fields until a “safe transition” happens. Caracas saw widespread power outages, leaving the country in limbo over who’s really in charge.
🎯 Washington’s Justification
The White House branded Maduro’s regime a “narco-terrorist state,” alleging it weaponized cocaine shipments against the U.S. and ran global drug networks from the top. President Donald Trump declared the op essential to dismantle these threats and protect American interests.
🌍 Venezuela at a Glance
This South American giant spans 916,445 square kilometers with about 28 million people. It hugs the northern coast, sharing borders with Colombia (west), Brazil (south), Guyana (east), and the Caribbean Sea (north) – prime real estate with massive oil reserves.
🌐 Global Backlash
Russia and Iran slammed the U.S. as imperialists eyeing Venezuela’s oil. Latin American neighbors voiced sovereignty fears. The world splits: Western allies nod to narco-terror claims, while others decry it as illegal aggression.
India expressed “deep concern” over the U.S. strikes, urging dialogue and peaceful resolution while monitoring the situation and assisting its community in Caracas. China has strongly criticized the action as a violation of sovereignty, aligning with Russia in calling it imperialism driven by oil interests.
Germany and the UK voiced measured worries about escalation and sovereignty breaches, with both pushing for diplomatic channels over military intervention. Israel offered cautious support for U.S. anti-narco efforts, while Ukraine praised the strike against a regime seen as Russia-aligned.
Japan called for restraint and de-escalation to protect regional stability.
