19 hours ago
Last Updated:January 03, 2026, 15:58 IST
The conflict entered a military phase on September 2, 2025. On that day, the US carried out its first strike on a vessel it described as a drug-smuggling boat.
US President Donald Trump and Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed the United States carried out a “large-scale strike" against Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The United States’ actions against Venezuela show a clear and steady escalation, moving step by step from economic pressure to military strikes. The timeline of events highlights how tensions between Washington and Caracas sharply worsened in 2025.
From economic pressure to military action
The first major move came on February 26, 2025 when US President Donald Trump cancelled oil concessions that had been granted to Venezuela under the previous Biden administration. This decision marked a return to a hardline policy aimed at cutting off revenue to President Nicolás Maduro’s government.
Tariffs on Venezuelan oil buyers
On March 24, the pressure increased further. The US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on countries that continued to buy Venezuelan oil. This step was designed to isolate Venezuela economically and discourage international trade with the Maduro administration.
A major shift occurred on August 8. The US doubled the bounty on Maduro to 50 million dollars and officially designated the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation. This move linked Venezuela’s leadership directly to alleged drug trafficking networks and set the stage for more aggressive action.
First military strike
The conflict entered a military phase on September 2, 2025. On that day, the US carried out its first strike on a vessel it described as a drug-smuggling boat in international waters.
From September through November, the US launched more than 30 strikes on alleged drug boats operating in the Caribbean and the Pacific. According to reports, these strikes killed between 83 and more than 110 people. US officials said the operations were aimed at stopping drug trafficking routes linked to Venezuela.
On October 15, Trump authorised covert CIA operations inside Venezuela. This decision further deepened the conflict and raised concerns about direct US involvement on Venezuelan soil.
In response, Venezuela held military exercises on November 12. On the same day, the US began its “Southern Spear" mission. Two days later, on November 14, the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier group arrived near Venezuela, signalling a strong US military presence in the region.
Economic pressure continued alongside military moves. On December 11, the US imposed sanctions on members of Maduro’s family and six oil ships. On December 16, Trump announced a “total blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers. Just days later, on December 20, a second oil tanker was seized off the Venezuelan coast.
US strike inside Venezuela
Amid this escalation, Trump claimed that the US had struck a dock facility inside Venezuela used to load boats with drugs. He said there had been a major explosion at the site. This was reported as the first such attack carried out inside the country.
It follows weeks of increased pressure from Trump on Maduro, whom he accuses of “emptying prisons and mental institutions" and “forcing" inmates to migrate to the US, while also using oil revenues to fund drug-related crime.
Earlier this week, Maduro responded by saying he was open to talks with the US on drug trafficking and oil “wherever and whenever they want". However, he avoided directly addressing the reported strikes carried out by the CIA.
Operations are still ongoing, with the US pursuing fleeing tankers and Congress examining the strikes. Venezuela has called the actions piracy and has increased military activity and missile deployments.
According to CBS, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured by Delta Force, the US military’s elite special missions unit, citing US officials.
Location :
United States of America (USA)
First Published:
January 03, 2026, 15:56 IST
News world From Sanctions To Strikes: How US Action Against Venezuela Escalated In A Year
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