Venezuela
By Chris Williams
Washington, United States – In a bold and unexpected move that has sent ripples across the globe, President Donald Trump announced on January 3, 2026, that the United States has captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following a large-scale military strike on Venezuelan targets.
Trump declared that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela temporarily until a “safe transition” or “judicious transition” of power can take place, marking one of the most direct U.S. interventions in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama.
For ordinary Venezuelans already struggling with blackouts, food shortages, and economic hardship, this development brings a mix of fear and uncertainty, as families wonder what a U.S.-led administration means for their daily lives.
Trump made the announcement from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, describing the operation as a victory against what he calls a criminal regime involved in drug trafficking and allowing gangs to thrive.
Maduro, in a defiant response, rejected the claims as lies and declared a national emergency, vowing to defend Venezuela’s sovereignty against “imperialist aggression.”
This dramatic escalation, the first known U.S. military action on Venezuelan soil in decades, has plunged the region into turmoil, with reports of street fighting in Caracas and widespread blackouts following explosions at military sites.
As South Africans reflect on our own history of resisting external interference, this story serves as a reminder of how power struggles in distant lands can disrupt global stability, potentially driving up oil prices that hit our pockets at the pumps.
With unconfirmed details of U.S. troops on the ground and no clear outline of next steps from Trump –
who noted Venezuela has a sitting vice president and warned anyone getting in the way – the world braces for what could be a prolonged crisis testing international alliances in 2026.
The strikes targeted locations in Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda State, and Aragua, causing chaos and drawing swift condemnation from leaders worldwide.
As diplomatic tensions rise, the hope is for quick de-escalation to protect innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
The Announcement: Trump’s Claim of Capture and Control
President Trump broke the news himself on social media, stating that U.S. forces had successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and captured Maduro and his wife.
“The United States has captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife and flown them out of the country,” he wrote, adding that the U.S. would “run the country” until a safe or judicious transition could occur.
Trump did not outline clear next steps for regime change but noted that Venezuela does have a sitting vice president and sent a warning to anyone who gets in the way, suggesting potential resistance would be met with force.
This direct involvement from Trump underscores his aggressive foreign policy, renewed after his 2025 re-election.
The announcement came shortly after reports of explosions in Caracas, aligning with the timing of the strikes around 2:00 a.m. local time.
For Venezuelans, Trump’s words feel like a declaration of takeover, raising fears of foreign control over their nation’s future.
Explosions and Chaos: The Strikes’ Immediate Impact
The assault began in the pre-dawn hours, with residents in Caracas reporting at least seven powerful explosions that shook buildings and cut power to large areas.
Low-flying aircraft were heard overhead, adding to the panic as people rushed to check on loved ones.
Smoke billowed from key military sites like Fort Tiuna, a major base in the capital, and La Carlota airport, suggesting precise targets aimed at weakening Maduro’s defences.
Similar blasts echoed in nearby states like Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira, spreading fear across the region. Witnesses described scenes of confusion, with sirens blaring and emergency services struggling to respond amid blackouts.
While no immediate civilian deaths were confirmed, the strikes disrupted daily life, leaving hospitals on generators and homes in darkness.
For families already facing economic shortages, this added a layer of terror, with many fearing more attacks could follow.
This hybrid operation – airstrikes with possible ground elements – avoided a full invasion but risked escalation. U.S.
officials tied it to long-standing accusations against Maduro for drug trafficking and allowing criminal gangs to thrive, claims Venezuela rejects as excuses for regime change.
Maduro’s Defiance: Rejection and National Emergency
In a televised address from an undisclosed location, President Nicolás Maduro slammed the strikes as “military aggression” and “imperialist barbarism.” He denied being captured, calling Trump’s claims “fake news” meant to sow confusion.
Maduro declared a national emergency, mobilising the military and urging citizens to defend the homeland. “We will not surrender,” he vowed, accusing the U.S. of seeking Venezuela’s oil reserves – the world’s largest.
His government reported activating air defences and repelling attacks, though details are sparse.
Street fighting in Caracas suggests clashes between loyalists and possible U.S.-backed groups, adding to the turmoil. Maduro’s defiance rallies his base but exposes divisions, with some officials reportedly fleeing amid the chaos.
This response fits Maduro’s pattern of standing firm against U.S. pressure, as seen in his 2019 survival of a U.S.-backed opposition challenge. With allies like Russia and China, he may seek diplomatic or military support to counter the strikes.
South Africa’s Response: Calling for UNSC Emergency Meeting
South Africa has called on the UN Security Council (UNSC), the body mandated to maintain international peace and security, to urgently convene and address the current situation in Venezuela.
This move reflects SA’s commitment to peaceful resolutions and non-interference, drawing on our history of diplomacy in global conflicts.
As a non-permanent UNSC member, SA views the strikes and Maduro’s reported capture as a serious breach, threatening regional stability.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stressed the need for dialogue, condemning unilateral actions that bypass international law.
For SA, with economic ties to the Americas through trade, this crisis could impact oil prices and migration patterns, affecting our own stability.
Regional and Global Reactions: Widespread Condemnation
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned the strikes as crossing “an unacceptable line,” calling for an emergency summit.
Colombia’s Gustavo Petro slammed “bombing Caracas,” while Mexico and others echoed restraint, fearing refugee waves.
Russia and China backed Maduro, vowing aid. The UN warned of humanitarian fallout. Oil prices jumped 5 percent, hitting importers like SA with higher fuel costs.
This outcry isolates the US, straining ties in Latin America where anti-imperialist sentiments run deep.
Historical Tensions: Roots of the US-Venezuela Clash
US-Venezuela ties soured under Hugo Chávez in the 2000s, with sanctions over rights abuses.
Under Maduro since 2013, they worsened, with the US backing opposition in 2019 and indicting him for drugs in 2020.
Trump’s first term saw oil bans and bounties. His 2025 return renewed threats, with naval moves signalling action.
Maduro accused the US of 25 weeks of aggression in 2025, likely blockades. This history of confrontation, driven by oil and ideology, led to the strikes.
Economic and Humanitarian Costs: Strains on Venezuela and Beyond
Venezuela’s oil-reliant economy faces hits from damaged sites, worsening shortages. With 800,000 barrels daily in 2025, disruptions deepen poverty for 80 percent. Blackouts from strikes strain hospitals, while fighting risks civilian lives.
Humanitarian needs spike – over 7 million fled since 2014, more possible if conflict grows. Neighbours brace for influxes. Globally, oil up 5 percent impacts importers like SA with pricier fuel.
Path Forward: De-Escalation or Wider War?
As fallout grows, mediation calls rise. Lula’s summit could de-escalate. The UN and OAS urge restraint.
For Trump, this tests “America First” policy, risking entanglement. Maduro’s defiance suggests prolonged resistance, potentially drawing allies.
For 2026, this could define US-Latin relations, with hopes for dialogue over force. Venezuelans pray for peace, but mobilisation signals uncertainty.
In a connected world, this affects all – from energy costs to stability – calling for wisdom over force.
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