US carries out strikes in Venezuela, Maduro rejects America's 'military aggression' amid Trump's crackdown against drug trafficking; here's what we know so far
The United States has launched strikes inside Venezuela, hitting targets in Caracas and surrounding states. President Maduro condemned the "military aggression" and declared a national emergency. This follows earlier reports of explosions and Pres...
By Divyadeep Singh, Global Desk | Updated:
AP
The United States is carrying out strikes inside Venezuela, a U.S. official told Reuters early on Saturday (January 3, 2026). The official, who was speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not provide details. According to news agency AFP, US media outlets including CBS News and Fox News also reported that unnamed Trump administration officials confirmed US forces were involved. CBS said an attack was ordered by President Donald Trump.
The development comes as Venezuela rejects "military aggression" by the United States, the government of President Nicolas Maduro said in a statement early Saturday, Reuters reported. The statement further revealed that attacks took place in the capital of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
The attacks prompted Maduro to declare a national emergency and call on social and political forces to "activate mobilization plans."
Earlier on Saturday, news agency AFP had reported that loud explosions, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard in Caracas around 2:00 am (0600 GMT). Sounds of explosions continued to be heard around 2:15 am. The exact locations were, although initially unclear.
The explosions come as US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a navy task force to the Caribbean, raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela. Trump on Monday said the United States hit and destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats.
He would not say if it was a military or CIA operation or where the strike occurred, noting only that it was "along the shore." The attack would be the first known land strike on Venezuelan soil.
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of heading a drug cartel and says it is cracking down on trafficking, but the leftist leader denies any involvement in the narcotics trade, saying Washington is seeking to overthrow him because Venezuela has the largest known reserves of oil on Earth.
Washington has mounted pressure on Caracas by informally closing Venezuela's airspace, imposing more sanctions, and ordering the seizure of tankers loaded with Venezuelan oil. For weeks Trump has threatened ground strikes on drug cartels in the region, saying they would start "soon," with Monday being the first apparent example.
US forces have also carried out numerous strikes on boats in both the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since September, targeting what Washington says are drug smugglers.
According to AFP, the administration has provided no evidence that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking, however, prompting debate about the legality of these operations. The deadly maritime campaign has killed at least 107 people in at least 30 strikes, AFP reported, citing information released by the US military.
The development comes as Venezuela rejects "military aggression" by the United States, the government of President Nicolas Maduro said in a statement early Saturday, Reuters reported. The statement further revealed that attacks took place in the capital of Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.
The attacks prompted Maduro to declare a national emergency and call on social and political forces to "activate mobilization plans."
Earlier on Saturday, news agency AFP had reported that loud explosions, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard in Caracas around 2:00 am (0600 GMT). Sounds of explosions continued to be heard around 2:15 am. The exact locations were, although initially unclear.
The explosions come as US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a navy task force to the Caribbean, raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela. Trump on Monday said the United States hit and destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats.
ADVERTISEMENT
He would not say if it was a military or CIA operation or where the strike occurred, noting only that it was "along the shore." The attack would be the first known land strike on Venezuelan soil.
Trump administration’s crackdown on drug trafficking
The Trump administration has accused Maduro of heading a drug cartel and says it is cracking down on trafficking, but the leftist leader denies any involvement in the narcotics trade, saying Washington is seeking to overthrow him because Venezuela has the largest known reserves of oil on Earth.
Washington has mounted pressure on Caracas by informally closing Venezuela's airspace, imposing more sanctions, and ordering the seizure of tankers loaded with Venezuelan oil. For weeks Trump has threatened ground strikes on drug cartels in the region, saying they would start "soon," with Monday being the first apparent example.
ADVERTISEMENT
US forces have also carried out numerous strikes
US forces have also carried out numerous strikes on boats in both the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since September, targeting what Washington says are drug smugglers.
ADVERTISEMENT
According to AFP, the administration has provided no evidence that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking, however, prompting debate about the legality of these operations. The deadly maritime campaign has killed at least 107 people in at least 30 strikes, AFP reported, citing information released by the US military.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Related Articles
ONGC's overseas arm set to revive Venezuela operationsADVERTISEMENT
