In a dramatic and unverified announcement, former US President Donald Trump has claimed that American military forces executed significant strikes within Venezuela and apprehended the country's leader, President Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife. Trump declared he would provide further details during a press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
The Startling Announcement on Truth Social
The claims were made by Trump via a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Saturday, January 3, 2026. He stated that the operation was a coordinated effort involving US law enforcement agencies. "The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country," Trump wrote in the post.
He added that a news conference was scheduled for 11 am local time at his Mar-a-Lago residence to share more information about the alleged operation. This announcement follows previous statements from Trump, who had deployed a substantial naval presence in the Caribbean to combat drug trafficking and had hinted at potential ground strikes against Venezuela.
Context and Immediate Aftermath
Earlier on the same day, reports from Caracas described powerful explosions heard around 2:00 am (0600 GMT). An AFP journalist on the ground noted the blasts resembled aircraft flyovers. These reported explosions occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the region due to the US naval deployment.
As of now, there has been no immediate confirmation or statement from the Venezuelan government regarding Trump's claims of the strikes and the capture of President Maduro and his wife. The situation remains fluid, with the international community awaiting verification of these significant allegations.
What Comes Next?
The world's attention is now focused on the promised press conference at Mar-a-Lago. Key questions remain unanswered, including the official US government position, the reaction from global powers, and the on-ground reality in Venezuela. The claims, if proven true, would mark an unprecedented escalation in US-Venezuela relations. Until official confirmations are provided, these assertions by the former president stand as a major, yet unverified, geopolitical development.
