📢 Breaking: U.S. Military Operation in Venezuela — Key Developments
🟠 U.S. Forces Strike in Caracas
The United States conducted a major military operation (called Operation Absolute Resolve) against Venezuela on January 3, 2026, involving strikes and a rapid assault aimed at capturing President Nicolás Maduro. Over 150 U.S. aircraft supported the mission, including fighters, bombers, electronic-warfare platforms, surveillance aircraft, and helicopters for troop insertion. (Business Insider)
✈️ Air Defence Neutralised
Despite Venezuela’s Russian-supplied air-defense systems (S-300, Buk, Pantsir and others), no U.S. aircraft were shot down and U.S. forces suppressed or bypassed Venezuelan defenses using stealth and electronic warfare. The operation’s success illustrates how coordinated multi-domain capabilities can overwhelm fixed air-defense networks. (Business Insider)
🎯 Rapid Execution & Capture
U.S. forces executed the raid swiftly — reportedly completing the mission in about two-and-a-half hours, with about 30 minutes on the ground, and no U.S. personnel or equipment losses. Maduro and his wife were captured and reportedly flown out of the country, though details continue to evolve. (CSIS)
🌍 Global Political Fallout
Russia, China and other allied governments condemned the U.S. action as a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty.
Venezuela’s military leadership denounced the presence of foreign troops and vowed resistance.
The U.S. Senate advanced a War Powers Resolution seeking to limit further military actions without congressional approval.
Broad Impact Signals
This event is seen as a major geopolitical shift, with implications for:
U.S.–Russia/China relations and perceptions of air-defense effectiveness.
Regional security dynamics across the Western Hemisphere.
Energy markets, given Venezuela’s large oil industry and U.S. interest in its resources.
Ongoing developments include political prisoner releases in Venezuela and diplomatic positioning around reconstruction and oil cooperation. (Financial Times)