Movies and pictures are rising on social media displaying what seems to be a big U.S. army operation now underway across the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, which incorporates a number of massive explosions and the presence of American particular operations helicopters. Whereas there was no official announcement of such an operation kicking off, this comes after months of U.S. army buildup within the area geared toward pressuring cartels and Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
See all the most recent updates on the backside of the publish.
We have now reached out to the White Home, Pentagon, and U.S. Southern Command for remark and can replace this story with any pertinent info offered.
Movies present explosions and the ensuing clouds of smoke throughout the skyline.
Different movies present a hundred and sixtieth Particular Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) MH-47 Chinook helicopters (and what seem to possible be MH-60s) flying over Caracas as a number of explosions erupt within the background.
Full-scale army operations seem like underway towards Venezuela, with dozens of helicopters with the U.S. Military noticed over the capital of Caracas. pic.twitter.com/kIqfbGjOK4
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026
Based mostly on what we’re seeing, which nonetheless has not been confirmed by the U.S. authorities right now, plainly large-scale kinetic actions inside Venezuela have begun as a brand new part of Operation Southern Spear.
We shall be updating this publish with extra evaluation and data. Stand by.
Replace: 2:45AM EST—
The Pentagon and SOUTHCOM responded to our inquiry about what was occurring and so they informed us to contact the White Home with out additional remark. We haven’t gotten a response but.
CBS Information studies that Trump ordered the strikes, together with on army services.
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BREAKING through @CBSNews: President Trump ordered strikes on websites inside Venezuela together with army services, U.S. officers stated, because the administration early Saturday ratcheted up its marketing campaign towards the regime of President Nicolás Maduro. through @JimLaPorta and me
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 3, 2026
Some ideas on the timing of this operation. Flying particular operations helicopters missions deep inside contested territory throughout practically a full moon is much from best. It isn’t clear if one thing might have pushed-up a timeline for such an operation. Venezuela’s air defenses aren’t superior, however they do pose a menace, which you’ll be able to learn all about right here. Past bigger SAM techniques, the nation additionally has many man-portable air protection techniques (MANPADS) which might be particularly problematic for helicopters, in addition to anti-aircraft artillery. Regardless, both the menace was deemed low sufficient to maneuver ahead with helicopter operations or the danger was well worth the potential reward of no matter goal or targets they have been after.
It’s additionally value noting that air strikes possible worn out identified air defenses that would put the helicopters in danger, however Venezuela’s MANPADS (in the event that they have been extensively deployed) and road-mobile SAMs are far tougher, and in lots of instances not possible, to mitigate with pre-planned strikes. We’d additionally anticipate that both the U.S. had assurances that Venezuela’s fighter pressure wouldn’t fly, and contingencies in place to ensure they didn’t, or they have been (extra possible) preemptively destroyed on the bottom. Past a fighter suppression of enemy air defenses and counter-air bundle, digital and cyber warfare would have performed a significant position on this operation in regard to blunting Venezuela’s air defenses, as properly.
Timing is fascinating right here. Moon is almost full, removed from optimum for this type of factor, particularly utilizing SOF helicopters deep right into a metro space like this. Strikes possible helped clear air defenses for them, however that’s unclear right now. Goal might have dictated the timeline…
— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) January 3, 2026
A video displaying a helicopter firing rockets at a targets on floor is alleged to have come from tonight’s operation, though we can not verify it. This appears like a typical MH-60 Direct Motion Penetrator or MH-6 Little Hen rocket assault run.
One strike appeared to have hit a harbor warehouse:
Replace: 3:20 AM EST—
Venezuela’s authorities has put out an announcement decrying the assaults and saying that they’re about seizing the nation’s oil and mineral assets.
With what seem like a really massive contingent of a hundred and sixtieth SOAR helicopters spearheading this operation, it appears possible that USS Iwo Jima could be used to assist them, particularly as a lot of this ship’s air wing has been moved ashore. The particular operations mothership M/V Ocean Dealer can be a essential a part of this effort because it has been within the area for months and crusing with the Iwo Jima, however its means to assist many helicopters is way more restricted than an formidable assault ship.
Would think about that USS Iwo Jima can be appearing as particular operations mothership for this. A lot of its air wing has been redeployed ashore. Ocean Dealer in fact is within the combine as properly.
— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) January 3, 2026
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Caribbean Sea
The @USNavy (
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) Iwo Jima ARG is conducting fleet maneuvers within the Caribbean Sea, notably with a particular visitor, the MV Ocean Dealer Particular Warfare Assist vessel.
Geolocation: 13.35894, -66.28738 pic.twitter.com/GFtUVUbSdn
— SA Defensa (@SA_Defensa) December 24, 2025
Right here is one other video displaying what seems to be an MH-60 Direct Motion Penetrator doing one other run:
Footage of a US helicopter (attainable USMC AH-1Z Viper) partaking floor targets with gun and rocket hearth in Caracas, Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/mT5h1lnFkl
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 3, 2026
Early studies stated Fort Tiuna was a significant focus of the motion. This army set up is a middle of gravitas for the Venezuelan army and it has some very distinctive options, together with bunkers/tunnels constructed into the aspect of the mountain it butts up towards.
Man… there’s some very ‘fascinating’ options at this base pertaining to what’s constructed into the hillside.
— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) January 3, 2026
Replace: 4am EST—
There have been studies that the presidential palace was focused not directly this night, though we can not verify that. There are armored autos now in place defending the roads close by:
A V-150 “Commando” Armored Wheeled-Gun with the Venezuelan Military noticed close to Miraflores Presidential Palace within the capital of Caracas. pic.twitter.com/ToYWjTRlMn
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 3, 2026
Apparently Hugo Chavez’s mausoleum was struck:
Airfields have been extensively focused, with some giving of some main secondaries:
It appears like there have been some flight diversions heading to Puerto Rico:
Main diversions of civil flights away from San Juan in Puerto Rico, as U.S. forces possible use the island to stage strikes on Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/rBWwkbMYjC
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 3, 2026
It’s additionally value noting that each one this went down inside hours of China’s envoy arriving in Caracas, partly to indicate assist for the Maduro regime in the course of the disaster with the USA. The diplomatic celebration should still be within the capital.
Just some hours in the past, Maduro held a three-hour assembly in Caracas with Xi’s Particular Envoy from China, underscoring how Beijing is quietly deepening its position within the escalating U.S.–Venezuela disaster. pic.twitter.com/LWEBygUtNg
— Gandalv (@Microinteracti1) January 3, 2026
The U.S. has issued a shelter-in-place order for any People that stay in Venezuela:
Replace: 4:31 am EST—
President Trump has put out an announcement saying the U.S. has captured Maduro and his spouse and has flown them overseas. This matches precisely with our suspicion that this operation was peculiar in its timing and the way odd it was pushing the a hundred and sixtieth SOAR over Caracas so early within the operation throughout practically a full moon. Now this makes complete sense. As our editor said earlier within the night when this started:
“Timing is fascinating right here. Moon is almost full, removed from optimum for this type of factor, particularly utilizing SOF helicopters deep right into a metro space like this. Strikes possible helped clear air defenses for them, however that’s unclear right now. Goal might have dictated the timeline right here. Use your creativeness with that one.”
Timing is fascinating right here. Moon is almost full, removed from optimum for this type of factor, particularly utilizing SOF helicopters deep right into a metro space like this. Strikes possible helped clear air defenses for them, however that’s unclear right now. Goal might have dictated the timeline…
— Tyler Rogoway (@Aviation_Intel) January 3, 2026
Trump’s publish on Fact Social additionally stated there could be a presser at 11am.
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