Venezuela-US tensions Highlights | Delcy Rodriguez appointed President day after Maduros capture; India issues advisory

Jan 4, 2026 06:21 PM

US lifts temporary restriction on Caribbean airspace

The US said the temporary limits on Caribbean airspace would end at midnight Eastern Time on Saturday, allowing airlines to restart flights as they update their schedules, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

The restrictions were put in place after a US military operation in Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro, which caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled. Airlines such as United, Delta, and American said they were getting ready to bring back most Caribbean flights by Sunday, adding more flights, extra seats, and larger planes to help passengers who were left stranded.

Jan 4, 2026 04:39 PM

Malaysian Prime Minister condemns US strikes on Venezuela

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticised the U.S. strikes on Venezuela, voicing alarm at their implications. "I have followed developments in Venezuela with grave concern".

Jan 4, 2026 04:08 PM

North Korea condemns strike on Caracas, calls it 'encroachment of sovereignty'

North Korea has explcitly criticised US strikes on Venezuela, calling them the most serious violation of sovereignty. Describing the action as further proof of Washington’s "rogue and brutal nature," KCNA quoted a spokesperson from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry as saying the incident once again underscored the United States’ aggressive conduct.

Jan 4, 2026 03:14 PM

Ukraine slams Maduro regime

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that Ukraine has always supported the right of countries to live freely, without dictatorship, oppression, or human rights abuses. Referring to Nicolás Maduro, he said the Maduro government has broken these principles in every way. He added that Ukraine supports steps that follow international law and give priority to democracy, human rights, and the welfare of the Venezuelan people.

Jan 4, 2026 03:00 PM

East of Caracas airport damaged in US strikes

An airport in the Venezuelan city of Higuerote was damaged in US strikes and debris of which was visible on the ground, along with burnt-out machinery and a damaged aircraft.

Jan 4, 2026 02:15 PM

China urges US to ensure Maduro's safety

China’s foreign ministry called on the United States to ensure the personal safety of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and to immediately release them. In a statement, China urged Washington to resolve the issue through dialogue rather than force.

Jan 4, 2026 01:59 PM

India expresses 'deep concern' over US strikes on Venezuela

India on Sunday expressed “deep concern” over the recent US strikes on Venezuela and said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation, according to a press release issued on January 4, 2026. 

Jan 4, 2026 12:52 PM

Trump warns Cuba, Mexico and Colombia could be next

Following US airstrikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic and unprecedented operation, President Donald Trump reportedly warned that other Latin American countries -- Mexico, Cuba and Colombia -- could be next, accusing them of drug manufacturing and harbouring cartels.

Jan 4, 2026 12:25 PM

India issues advisory for its citizens in Venezuela

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also asked all Indians who are in Venezuela to exercise extreme caution and restrict their movements.

"In view of recent developments in Venezuela, Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela," the MEA said.

"All Indians who are in Venezuela for any reason are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements, and remain in contact with the Embassy of India in Caracas," it said.

Jan 4, 2026 11:50 AM

White House shares old clip of Maduro challenging Trump

Jan 4, 2026 10:49 AM

Delcy Rodriguez appointed Venezuela Interim President day after Maduro's capture

Jan 4, 2026 10:48 AM

US releases first picture of 'handcuffed' Maduro after landing in New York

A new video has appeared showing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro being led by US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers inside the agency’s New York headquarters on Saturday. 

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were caught during a surprise early-morning operation by US special forces in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. Reports say the couple was asleep at their home inside the high-security Ft Tiuna military complex when the raid happened.

Jan 3, 2026 06:10 PM

Maduro to face criminal trial in US, Marco Rubio tells Senator

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been taken into custody by US personnel and will be tried on criminal charges in the United States, according to Utah Senator Mike Lee.

Lee said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally informed him about Maduro’s arrest during a phone conversation on Saturday.

Sharing the details on X, Lee stated that the US military action witnessed overnight was carried out to safeguard officials involved in executing the arrest warrant.

He added that the operation was aimed at protecting US personnel from what was described as an actual or imminent threat.

Lee suggested that the move likely falls under the US president’s constitutional authority, citing Article II, which allows actions to ensure the safety of American forces.

Jan 3, 2026 06:09 PM

Brilliant operation: Trump on US strikes on Venezuela

Jan 3, 2026 06:08 PM

What is US Delta Force, the elite unit that reportedly captured Maduro?

• Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was reportedly taken into custody early Saturday during US strikes on Venezuela, according to a CBS News report.
• The operation was allegedly carried out by Delta Force, the United States military’s elite special mission unit, though no official confirmation has been issued about the unit involved.
• The report followed a social media post by US President Donald Trump, who claimed the “capture” of the Venezuelan leader without providing operational details.

About Delta Force

• Delta Force is an elite unit of the US Army, officially known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta (1st SFOD-D).
• It is considered one of America’s top-tier special operations forces, specialising primarily in counterterrorism missions.
• The unit is trained to capture or eliminate high-value targets and dismantle terrorist networks across the globe.
• Beyond counterterrorism, Delta Force is also tasked with hostage rescue, covert operations, reconnaissance and direct action missions.
• The unit operates under extreme secrecy, with most of its missions remaining classified.

Past operations

• Delta Force played a key role in the 2019 US operation that led to the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
• It has been involved in several high-risk missions targeting global terror leaders and militant organisations.

Jan 3, 2026 06:06 PM

Celebrations on streets across United States after arrest of Nicolás Maduro

Jan 3, 2026 05:55 PM

Viral pic

Jan 3, 2026 05:54 PM

Photo claiming to show capture of Nicolás Maduro viral on social media

A photo claiming to show the capture of Nicolás Maduro is going viral on social media. The image purportedly shows officers of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) taking Maduro away.

The DEA is a US government agency responsible for combating drug-related crimes. It carries out operations against illegal drug trafficking and works under the US Department of Justice.

Jan 3, 2026 05:29 PM

Italy closely monitoring Venezuela situation after US strikes

Jan 3, 2026 05:28 PM

Venezuela requests urgent UN Security Council meet after US strikes

Jan 3, 2026 05:28 PM

Venezuela calls US airstrikes a ‘terrorist attack,’ says forces ready to face any situation

Venezuela on Saturday strongly condemned US airstrikes, with Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello describing them as a “criminal and terrorist attack” targeting civilians and key national infrastructure.

Speaking from Caracas after assessing the damage, Cabello said the strikes had hit the country’s people, electrical facilities and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. He added that military and police forces had been placed on high alert and were “ready for any situation that threatens the peace of the country.”

Calling for calm, Cabello urged citizens to trust the nation’s leadership and the political and military high command, while warning against panic. “This is not the first battle waged against our people,” he said.

Jan 3, 2026 05:20 PM

Venezuela demands proof of life after President Maduro captured following US attacks

Jan 3, 2026 05:19 PM

Spain offers to mediate for ‘peaceful, negotiated solution’ in Venezuela crisis

Jan 3, 2026 04:45 PM

Three reasons behind the US attack on Venezuela

Mass migration to the US: Donald Trump has accused President Nicolás Maduro of policies that forced millions of Venezuelans to flee to the United States. He claims Maduro deliberately released criminals and patients from prisons and mental hospitals, pushing them toward the US.

Venezuela’s oil wealth: The US also has its eyes on Venezuela’s oil, as the country’s economy depends almost entirely on it. Venezuela exports around 900,000 barrels of oil daily, with China being its largest buyer. It is believed to hold the world’s largest oil reserves. Recently, the US seized a Venezuela-linked oil tanker, escalating tensions.

Drug trafficking concerns: Trump claims Venezuela has become a major hub for cocaine and fentanyl smuggling into the US. In response, he designated two Venezuelan criminal gangs, Tren de Aragua and Cartel de Los Soles, as foreign terrorist organisations, alleging that Maduro himself leads the Cartel de Los Soles.

Jan 3, 2026 04:41 PM

Venezuela’s Defence Minister orders nationwide military deployment

Venezuelan Defence Minister Padrino López has ordered a large-scale deployment of the army across the country.

According to CNN, the capital Caracas has remained relatively calm in recent hours. López said that earlier, the sounds of several aircraft and helicopters were heard, but the city is now quiet, and people have not yet taken to the streets.

State-run television has been broadcasting continuous messages from the Ministry of Defence, urging citizens to remain calm and informing them that the military is being deployed nationwide.

Jan 3, 2026 03:46 PM

Venezuelan govt unaware of Maduro's whereabouts after US captures him

Jan 3, 2026 03:45 PM

South Korea orders possible evacuation of Koreans in Venezuela

Jan 3, 2026 03:35 PM

The United States has claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been captured. Earlier, US President Donald Trump posted on social media that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Adela Flores, are now in the custody of US forces and have been taken out of Venezuela.

Trump added that he will provide full details about the operation in a press conference at 8 PM IST. So far, there has been no response from Venezuela regarding Trump’s claim.

The operation follows US airstrikes on four Venezuelan cities around 2 am local time. According to CBS News, Trump had ordered attacks on military facilities and several key locations within Venezuela.

After the strikes, President Maduro issued a statement promising to respond to the attacks. He declared a nationwide state of emergency and accused the US of attempting a coup to seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral resources. One hour after Maduro’s statement, Trump announced that he had captured the Venezuelan president.

Jan 3, 2026 03:17 PM

Trump claims Maduro has been captured

US President Donald Trump has claimed that the United States carried out a major operation against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, during which Maduro and his wife were captured.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that following the operation, Maduro and his wife were detained and sent out of the country.

Jan 3, 2026 02:55 PM

US embassy in Venezuela says explosions reported, do not travel to Venezuela

Jan 3, 2026 02:55 PM

Goal of attack is to take possession of Venezuelan oil and minerals: Bolivarian Government

Jan 3, 2026 02:53 PM

Cuban president condemns US attack on Venezuela, calls it intimidation

Jan 3, 2026 02:53 PM

Venezuelan President orders activation of country’s defence plans

Following the US attack, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered the activation of the country’s defence plans.

This allows the President to temporarily restrict certain civil rights and expand the role of the military.

Jan 3, 2026 02:51 PM

US bans American flights from Venezuelan airspace

After the attack on Venezuela, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered American commercial flights to stop flying through Venezuelan airspace.

The FAA said the restriction was imposed due to security risks.

Jan 3, 2026 02:38 PM

Venezuela’s president vows response to attacks

Following the strikes, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro issued a statement strongly condemning the US government for what he described as military aggression.

According to Venezuelan authorities, the attacks targeted civilian and military sites in Caracas as well as in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira.

The government said it would respond firmly to the strikes and accused the United States of attempting a coup. Venezuela has also called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

Jan 3, 2026 02:37 PM

US strikes four key locations in Venezuela

Fuerte Tiuna: The main military headquarters in Caracas and the country’s largest military base.

La Carlota: Caracas’ primary airbase, used for both military and civilian operations.

El Volcán: A communications centre located in the hills surrounding Caracas.

La Guaira Port: Venezuela’s major port near Caracas on the Caribbean coast.

Jan 3, 2026 01:49 PM

What we know so far?

• The United States carried out seven air strikes on Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, late Saturday night.
• The first strike reportedly took place around 2 am local time.
• According to CBS News, US President Donald Trump had ordered attacks on military facilities and several key locations inside Venezuela.
• A viral video showed around 10 aircraft flying at low altitude over the city.
• Reuters reported loud explosions in several parts of Caracas.
• The southern area near a major military base experienced a power outage following the blasts.
• After the explosions, panic spread and residents rushed onto the streets in different parts of the city.
• The exact cause of the explosions remains unclear.
• The Venezuelan government has not issued an immediate response to the incident.

Jan 3, 2026 01:46 PM

Colombian President urges global alert over Caracas situation

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro said the world should remain on alert amid reports of attacks on Venezuela’s capital. In a social media post, Petro claimed that Caracas was being bombed and called on the international community to take notice.

He urged the United Nations to investigate the matter and demanded an emergency UN meeting. However, Petro did not specify who was responsible for the alleged attacks.

Jan 3, 2026 01:44 PM

US–Venezuela dispute over oil companies

The United States and Venezuela have long been at odds over oil assets. Donald Trump has claimed that Venezuela illegally took oil rights from American companies. However, in 1976, under then president Carlos Andrés Pérez, Venezuela legally nationalised its entire oil industry.

As part of this move, foreign oil companies—mostly US firms such as Exxon, Gulf Oil and Mobil—that had been operating in the country for decades transferred their operations and assets to the newly created state-owned company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).

The nationalisation was carried out under the law, and compensation was paid, though some companies were dissatisfied. Because US firms had played a major role in developing Venezuela’s oil sector, some in the US still view these assets as American interests.

Jan 3, 2026 01:43 PM

5 American citizens taken into custody

Venezuela has reportedly detained several US nationals in response to military actions by the Trump administration. According to a New York Times report, the arrests are taking place amid increased US military activity in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The report said that so far, five American citizens have been taken into custody. A US official told the New York Times that the circumstances differ in each case. While some arrests may be legally justified, two Americans were wrongfully detained. The United States is now considering possible action in response.

Jan 3, 2026 01:42 PM

Trump's reaction

US President Donald Trump said Venezuela is completely surrounded by what he described as the largest naval fleet ever deployed in South America’s history.

In December, Trump increased pressure on Venezuela by ordering a total blockade on sanctioned oil tankers travelling to and from the country. He claimed the move was aimed at stopping what he called the illegal use of oil, land and other assets.

Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the naval blockade would be further expanded until Venezuela returns oil, land and other properties that he alleged were taken from the United States.

Speaking to reporters on December 22, Trump also said it would be wise for President Nicolas Maduro to step down from power, though he added that the final decision rests entirely with Maduro.