US Strikes Venezuela, Captures President

Dramatic scenes unfolded in Caracas as tensions escalated between the US and Venezuela on January 3, 2026.

Following President Donald Trump's announcement of strikes on Venezuela and the reported capture of President Nicolas Maduro, smoke rose near the Fort Tiuna military zone while residents evacuated and queued for fuel.

US military aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets and EA-18G Growlers, were stationed at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Puerto Rico.

Smoke rises near Fort Tiuna during a full blackout, following explosions and loud noises, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026

IMAGE: Smoke rises near Fort Tiuna in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026, following explosions and loud noises, after Donald Trump said the US had struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, here and below. Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

Smoke rises near Fort Tiuna, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026

Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

Smoke rises near Fort Tiuna during a full blackout, following explosions and loud noises, amid rising tensions between administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026

Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

The sun rises, after US President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela January 3, 2026

Photograph: Gaby Oraa/Reuters

Smoke rises near Fort Tiuna, a military zone, during a full blackout, following explosions and loud noises, amid rising tensions between administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026

Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

Residents evacuate Fort Tiuna, a military zone, during a full blackout, following explosions and loud noises, amid rising tensions between administrations of U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026

IMAGE: Residents evacuate Fort Tiuna, a military zone in Caracas, January 3, 2026 following explosions and loud noises. Photograph: Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump claims U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a large-scale strike, according to a post on his social media account on Jan. 3, 2026

IMAGE: Donald Trump claimed US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores according to a post on his social media account on January 3, 2026. Photograph: @realDonaldTrump/Handout via Reuters

Cars stand in lines for fuel at a gas station, after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Valencia, Venezuela January 3, 2026

IMAGE: Cars queue for fuel at a gas station in Valencia, Venezuela, January 3, 2026 after the US struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro. Photograph: Juan Carlos Hernandez/Reuters

The sun rises after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela January 3, 2026

IMAGE: The sun rises after the US struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026. Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters

Residents stand in front of their homes in the Gramoven neighborhood, as U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela January 3, 2026

IMAGE: Residents stand in front of their homes in the Gramoven neighbourhood in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026, here and below. Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters

Residents stand outside their homes in the Gramoven neighborhood, as U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela January 3, 2026

Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters

Residents sit in front of their homes in the Gramoven neighborhood, as U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 2026

Photograph: Maxwell Briceno/Reuters

A vehicle drives along an empty highway, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela January 3, 2026

IMAGE: A vehicle drives along an empty highway in Caracas, after US forces struck Venezuela and captured its president and first lady, January 3, 2026. Photograph: Gaby Oraa/Reuters

U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler aircraft sit parked on the tarmac at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base at night, amid tensions between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026

IMAGE: US navy EA-18G Growler aircraft parked on the tarmac at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026, here and below. Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

Military aircraft sit parked on the tarmac at night at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base, amid tensions between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026

Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

Personnel work near military vehicles and equipment at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base, amid tensions between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026

IMAGE: Personnel work near military vehicles and equipment at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026. Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

Personnel work on a U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet parked on the tarmac at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base, amid tensions between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026

IMAGE: Personnel work on a US air force F-35 Lightning II fighter jet parked on the tarmac at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026. Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules transport plane takes off from the former Roosevelt Roads naval base, amid tensions between the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026

IMAGE: A US Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules transport plane takes off from the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, January 2, 2026. Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jet lands at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base, after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, December 3, 2026

IMAGE: A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jet lands at the former Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, December 3, 2026. Photograph: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Reuters

Photographs curated and Feature Presentation by Manisha Kotian/Rediff