Dramatic new images have emerged from Venezuela, capturing the chaotic aftermath of a large-scale United States military operation that resulted in the capture of the country's authoritarian leader, President Nicolás Maduro.
Operation Unfolds in Caracas
The operation, which began in the early hours of January 3, 2026, saw US forces descend on the Venezuelan capital. Residents reported hearing a series of explosions and spotting low-flying aircraft, with subsequent photographs showing significant damage and fires across the city. Black smoke was seen pouring from buildings as the raid unfolded, causing panic among locals, some of whom were photographed fleeing in terror.
US President Donald Trump announced the mission's success on his social media platform, Truth Social. He stated that the United States had "successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader", confirming that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, had been "captured and flown out of the Country". President Trump attributed the action to cooperation with US law enforcement and indicated further details would be provided at a news conference scheduled for 11am local time (4pm GMT) from his Mar-a-Lago estate.
Venezuelan Response and Indictments
The Venezuelan government has vehemently condemned the attack. The country's attorney general, Tarek William Saab, appeared on television to denounce the strikes as a "terrorist attack", claiming they left innocent people mortally wounded, though he did not immediately present evidence.
In a significant legal development following the capture, it was revealed that Nicolás Maduro has been indicted in the Southern District of New York. The charges against him include drugs trafficking and firearms offences.
Scenes of Destruction on the Ground
Visual evidence from the scene paints a picture of widespread disruption. Photographs and videos shared by Venezuelans show:
- Orange flashes illuminating the sky, seemingly from a military base.
- A destroyed civilian bus and smouldering metal shipping containers at the port of La Guaira.
- Helicopters flying over Caracas during the operation.
- Substantial fires raging at military complexes, including Fuerte Tiuna, and across the city throughout the night.
Additional imagery showed US military planes mobilising from a base in Puerto Rico prior to the raid. The full scale of the damage to public infrastructure and the number of potential casualties remains unclear as the situation continues to develop.
