Pedestrians walk past destroyed containers lay at La Guaira port

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

An April 1961 file photo shows a group of CIA-backed Cuban counterrevolutionaries after their capture in the Bay of Pigs, Cuba.

Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026.

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.

Picture of fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026.

Picture of fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military complex, after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026.

Luis James/AFP/Getty Images

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Luis James/AFP/Getty Images

Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela.

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.

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

Fire at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, is seen from a distance after a series of explosions in Caracas on January 3, 2026.

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

Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.

Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.

Bernat Armangue/AP

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Bernat Armangue/AP

Concrete blocks block the highway leading from Simón Bolívar International Airport to Caracas in Maiquetia, Venezuela.

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

Venezuelans celebrate after President Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Lima, Peru.

Venezuelans celebrate after President Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Lima, Peru.

Martin Mejia/AP

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Martin Mejia/AP

Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on as President Trump speaks to the press following U.S. military actions in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on as President Trump speaks to the press following U.S. military actions in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026.

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Jim Watson/Getty Images

Civilians living inside Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, leave the place, in Caracas after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country.

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

People line up outside a supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.

People line up outside a supermarket in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.

Ariana Cubillos/AP

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Ariana Cubillos/AP

Venezuelans living in Chile celebrate in Santiago, after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on Venezuela. The Trump administration said on December 3 that Venezuela's captured Maduro and his wife will face "the full wrath of American justice" under drug and terrorism charges.

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 protest outside the White House in Washington, D.C. after the U.S. strikes in Venezuela. Ken Kuchda of Alexandria, Va., left, and Lydia Riley of Washington D.C. attended the protest that was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

People protest outside the White House in Washington, D.C. after the U.S. strikes in Venezuela. Ken Kuchda of Alexandria, Va., left, and Lydia Riley of Washington D.C. attended the protest that was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Tyrone Turner/WAMU/NPR

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Tyrone Turner/WAMU/NPR

A member of the National Guard stands guard at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, in Caracas.

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

Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela.

Cristian Hernandez/AP

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Cristian Hernandez/AP

Protesters rally outside the White House Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Washington, after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a military operation.

Tyrone Turner/WAMU/NPR

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Tyrone Turner/WAMU/NPR

A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after President Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.

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, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country.

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, Venezuela's largest military complex, in Caracas.

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