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Last Updated:January 04, 2026, 21:12 IST
White House posts a video of Maduro challenging the US to 'come and get him'. The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on Monday.
According to sources speaking to Reuters, they revealed that 40 people were killed in the US strikes on Saturday.
US Strikes Venezuela Live Updates: The capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro followed a dramatic escalation in long-simmering tensions between the United States and Venezuela, culminating in a large-scale US military operation in Caracas. For years, Washington has accused the Maduro government of enabling drug trafficking networks, dismantling democratic institutions, mismanaging Venezuela’s vast oil wealth, and aligning with hostile global actors. These allegations led to sweeping US sanctions, the freezing of Venezuelan state assets abroad, and repeated diplomatic efforts to isolate Maduro internationally. Despite intense economic pressure, Maduro retained power with the backing of Venezuela’s military and security establishment, while negotiations and sanctions failed to produce political change.
According to US officials, the decision to launch military action was taken after intelligence assessments concluded that non-military tools had exhausted their effectiveness, particularly in curbing narcotics flows and addressing what Washington described as growing regional security risks. President Donald Trump authorised what the Pentagon framed as a targeted and time-bound operation rather than a prolonged war, emphasizing speed, precision, and strategic impact.
US forces carried out coordinated strikes against key command-and-control facilities, elite security units, and defensive infrastructure in the capital Caracas, enabling special operations teams to move swiftly. Within hours, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into US custody and flown out of the country. Senior American officials described the mission as the most complex and successful joint special operations raid ever undertaken, arguing it achieved its objectives without large-scale troop deployment or sustained combat.
The US has said the action aims to halt drug trafficking, secure access to energy resources, and prevent further regional instability, while avoiding the cost of prolonged military involvement. Maduro’s capture has plunged Venezuela into political uncertainty, with Washington asserting it will shape what happens next through security control, economic leverage, and diplomatic pressure, even as critics warn the operation could have far-reaching consequences for the region.
reaction has been swift. Russia, Iran, Brazil, China, the EU, the UK and others condemned the strikes or urged restraint and respect for international law. Venezuela has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: US To Lift Caribbean Airspace Curbs
The United States will lift restrictions on Caribbean airspace from midnight ET on Saturday, allowing airlines to resume normal operations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said carriers had been informed as flight schedules are updated. The curbs were imposed after US forces attacked Venezuela and captured deposed leader Nicolás Maduro, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations across the region.
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Rubio Says US Not At War With Venezuela
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the United States is not at war with Venezuela. Speaking to NBC News on Meet The Press, Rubio dismissed suggestions of a wider conflict.
He said the US is targeting drug trafficking organisations, not the Venezuelan state. Rubio added that Washington is enforcing oil sanctions through legal means, including court warrants to seize vessels carrying sanctioned oil. He stressed that there are no US forces currently on the ground in Venezuela.
According to Rubio, troops were present only briefly during the operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro. His remarks came a day after President Donald Trump said the US would not rule out deploying troops if needed.
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Crowds, Chaos Outside Brooklyn Detention Centre Where Maduro Is Held - WATCH
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Pope Expresses Concern Over Violence In Venezuela, Urges Peace And Justice
Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in Venezuela, urging that the well-being of the Venezuelan people take priority over all other considerations. Speaking on X, he called for an end to violence and stressed the importance of pursuing justice and peace.
The Pope invited the faithful to join him in prayer, invoking the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, as well as Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles. He emphasized collective prayer as a source of hope and solidarity for the nation, highlighting the need for compassion and unity during these challenging times.
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Ghana Condemns US Action In Venezuela, Calls For Maduro’s Release
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: ‘Venezuela Will Be Free’, Maria Machado Thanks France's Macron For Support
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: ‘Complete Failure Of Defence’: Expert On Maduro Operation
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Malaysia PM Condemns US Operation, Calls Maduro’s Seizure Illegal
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: UK Says It Was Not Informed Of US Strikes On Venezuela
India Expresses Deep Concern Over Venezuela Situation, Says Monitoring Developments Closely
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Iran Demands Release Of Nicolas Maduro And Wife Cilia Flores
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: US Lifts Airspace Restrictions Over Caribbean After Venezuela Strike
The United States late Saturday lifted airspace restrictions over the Caribbean that had temporarily halted commercial flights during a US military operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro and his wife were later flown by helicopter to New York City, where they are expected to face drug-trafficking and weapons-related charges.
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: White House Takes Swipe At Maduro With Old Clip Daring Trump To 'Come And Get Him'
Nicolas Maduro had his chance — until he didn’t.
The Trump Admin will always defend American citizens against all threats, foreign and domestic. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/eov3GbBXf4
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 4, 2026
US Strikes Venezuela LIVE:China Expresses Concern Over Maduro's Tranfer Out Of Venezuela
#Breaking: China expresses serious concern over the US’ forcible control of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and their transfer out of the country. The US’ move is in clear violation of international law and the basic norms in international relations and the purposes and… pic.twitter.com/UxtxwMBS0P
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) January 4, 2026
US Strikes Venezuela LIVE: Elon Musk's Starlink Announces Free Internet Till 3 February
US Strikes Venezuela LIVE: Zelensky Calls On US To Take Down Vladimir Putin After Capture Of Nicolás Maduro
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday called on the United States to capture Russian President Vladimir Putin, following Washington’s overnight military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
US Strikes Venezuela LIVE: ‘Watch Your A**’: Trump Warns Colombian Gustavo Petro After Maduro’s Capture
US President Donald Trump on Saturday issued a sharp warning to Colombian President Gustavo Petro, telling him to “watch his a**” after a US military operation led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, further escalating tensions across the region.
US Strikes Venezuela LIVE: UNSC To Hold Emergency Meeting On Monday To discuss US Invasion Of Venezuela
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: 'An Act Of War': New York Mayor Slams US Invasion of Venezuela
I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City.
Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) January 3, 2026
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Venezuela's Supreme Court Appoints Vice President Delcy Rodríguez As Acting President
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is appointed as the acting president of Venezuela after Nicolas Maduro’s capture. She is also the finance and oil minister of the Latin American nation.
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: At least 40 people killed In US airstrikes On Venezuela
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: ‘Trump’s Actions In Venezuela Do Not Make America Safer’: Former VP Kamala Harris
Former Vice President Kamala Harris reacted after the capture of the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro. She slammed President Donald Trump’s military actions in the South American nation for putting American soldiers at risk and she further said, “Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price.”
Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable.
That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that…
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 4, 2026
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: 'Goodnight, Happy New Year': Maduro After Landing In US
US Attack On Venezuela Live Updates: Nicolas Maduro Escorted Out Of A Plane By US DEA
Close up video of President Nicolás Maduro being escorted out of a plane by US authorities in New York after being kidnapped from Venezuela.
JUST IN: ???????????????? Close up video of Nicolás Maduro being escorted out of a plane by US authorities in New York after being kidnapped from #Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/m5lvmfLMvv
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) January 4, 2026
