The United States launched airstrikes against Venezuela in the early hours of January 3 on orders from President Trump, according to reporting from CBS News and others.
BREAKING: Trump administration officials are aware of reports of explosions and aircraft over Venezuela's capital Caracas early this morning, sources tell @CBSNews. No official comment yet.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 3, 2026
Jennifer Jacobs and Jim LaPorta from CBS News initially reported that the Trump administration was aware of the explosions in Caracas and quickly followed with confirmation that the strikes were ordered by President Trump.
President Trump ordered strikes on sites inside Venezuela, including military facilities, U.S. officials told CBS News, as the administration early Saturday ratcheted up its campaign against the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
— Jim LaPorta (@JimLaPorta) January 3, 2026
This follows a ratcheting up of tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela in recent weeks.
Scoop: Trump gave the U.S. military the green light to conduct land strikes in Venezuela days ago, U.S. officials told @CBSNews. U.S. was ready on Christmas day but airstrikes in Nigeria against ISIS targets took precedence, sources said. The days following Christmas opened more…
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 3, 2026
In addition to the confirmation that Trump greenlighted the operation, other sources on social media posted videos purporting to be the strikes being carried out by U.S. forces in the region.
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BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 3, 2026
Massive secondary explosions after U.S. airstrikes against Higuerote Airport.
Looks like the Americans hit a Venezuelan weapons shipment there. pic.twitter.com/lmw84bTbdS
Full-scale military operations appear to be underway against Venezuela, with dozens of helicopters with the U.S. Army spotted over the capital of Caracas. pic.twitter.com/kIqfbGjOK4
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026
(NOTE: There is no confirmation of 'full-scale' military operations. Reporting has confirmed targeted strikes, but the U.S. has not provided details on the targets and goals of the operation.)
Caracas is under fire. Multiple U.S. strikes have hit key military sites: Fuerte Tiuna, La Carlota airbase, and a communications center in El Hatillo, all under Maduro’s control. Explosions echo through the capital, the power is out in parts of the city, and U.S. helicopters are… pic.twitter.com/GAtW2NWVy7
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) January 3, 2026
Initial reports also indicate that Maduro has responded to the strikes, saying the country will defend itself against the 'imperialist aggression'.
USA 🇺🇸 has officially confirmed that they have invaded Venezuela 🇻🇪
— IntelHub (@hubofintel) January 3, 2026
Venezuelan Government Statement:
Maduro has ordered all national defense plans to be put in place for implementation at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances. https://t.co/3QhnJrskBr
A statement from Nicolás Maduro's regime has been issued: https://t.co/OaX413TAo3 pic.twitter.com/IYuEoIhxHM
— Ari Ingel (@OGAride) January 3, 2026
Venezuelan officials claim the goal of the U.S. is to take the country's oil and minerals.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 3, 2026
Venezuela’s foreign minister Yván Gil:
— Venezuela has been subjected to military aggression by the United States.
— Nicolás Maduro has signed a decree imposing a state of emergency nationwide.
— The goal of the U.S. attack is to seize Venezuela’s strategic… pic.twitter.com/Yy7JLENE9P
We would expect an official statement from the Trump administration soon.
Stay tuned to Twitchy for the political fallout from this escalation.