Pedestrians walk past destroyed containers lay at La Guaira port after explosions were heard in Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
Matias Delacroix/AP
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Matias Delacroix/AP
The U.S. captured Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro as part of a major military operation overnight that rocked the country’s capital, Caracas.
The U.S. launched the operation in the middle of the night. The actions follows months of a military buildup in the region and repeated threats by President Trump against Maduro.
Here’s a look at Venezuela and reactions from around the world.
Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on Jan. 3, 2026.
STR/AFP via Getty Images
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STR/AFP via Getty Images
Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela.
Matias Delacroix/AP
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Matias Delacroix/AP
Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela.
Matias Delacroix/AP
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Matias Delacroix/AP
Concrete blocks block the highway leading from Simón Bolívar International Airport to Caracas in Maiquetía, Venezuela.
Matias Delacroix/AP
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Matias Delacroix/AP
Civilians living inside Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, leave the place, in Caracas, after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
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Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
Venezuelans living in Chile celebrate in Santiago, after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on Venezuela.
Javier Torres/AFP/Getty Images
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Javier Torres/AFP/Getty Images
People line up outside a supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
Ariana Cubillos/AP
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Ariana Cubillos/AP
A member of the National Guard stands guard at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, in Caracas.
Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
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Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela.
Cristian Hernandez/AP
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Cristian Hernandez/AP
A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
Cristian Hernandez/AP
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Cristian Hernandez/AP
Pro-government armed civilians patrol in La Guaira, Venezuela after President Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.
Matias Delacroix/AP
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Matias Delacroix/AP
A member the National Guard stands guard at an entrance to Fuerte Tiuna in Caracas.
Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
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Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images
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