U.S. attacks Venezuela, captures Maduro. Is Iran next?
The US Strikes Venezuela - Chronicles - Sovereign Global Majority
Multiple reports of fighter jet activity over Caracas, Venezuela, with explosions pouring in now, just after 1 am Eastern. Smoke plumes are emitting from Fort Tiuna and La Carlota airbase. It is reported that 6 smoke columns are seen rising from the area at this time. Unverified as yet, but the speculation is, of course, that a US invasion or attempt at decapitation strike is underway. US CH-47 Chinook helicopters are reported to be flying near the location of the strikes. Air raid sirens are blaring and there is a blackout.
Blasts Rock Venezuelan Capital In What Appears To Be Opening Of U.S. War (Videos)South Front
A series of blasts rocked different parts of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and its outskirts early on January 3, in what may be the opening of a military operation by the United States.
Maduro Mobilizes Venezuelan Army As U.S. Helicopters Attack Key HQ In Caracas (Videos)South Front
President Nicolás Maduro signed a state of emergency and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented "at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances," the Venezuelan government announced in a statement issued on January 3 morning, just a few hours after the beginning of an attack on the country by the United States.
Trump Says U.S. Forces Captured Venezuela's Maduro In 'Large Scale Strike'South Front
President Donald Trump announced on January 3 that the United States carried out a "large scale strike against Venezuela" and that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and removed from the country.
"The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago," he added.
The early morning strike in Venezuela came following months of escalation by the Trump administration, which in October doubled the reward for the arrest of Maduro on alleged drug trafficking charges to $50 million.
Right before Trump made his announcement, the Venezuelan government issued a statement saying that Maduro signed a state of emergency and ordered all national defense plans to be implemented "at the appropriate time and under the appropriate circumstances" in response to a "very serious grave military aggression" by the U.S.
In a brief phone interview with The New York Times shortly after his announcement, Trump hailed what he called a "brilliant operation."
"A lot of good planning and lot of great, great troops and great people," Trump told the Times. "It was a brilliant operation, actually."
According to the Times, Trump declined to answer questions about whether he'd sought congressional authority for the strike, saying he'd address it at his upcoming news conference.
Multiple military sites in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, were hit during the strike, and footage that surfaced online in the very first minutes revealed that U.S. special forces moved into the country in several helicopters. According to CBS News, it was the elite Delta Force unit that captured Maduro.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López appeared after Trump's announcement, and said in a video message that the country is currently gathering information about the number of people killed and wounded.
He added that the country would resist the presence of foreign troops in the country. This coincided with rumors that U.S. troops had captured one of the airports in Caracas.
"This invasion represents the greatest outrage the country has suffered," he added.
Later on, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the government doesn't know the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
While treason may have played a key role in the success of the U.S. strike, a report by Sky News suggested that the capture of Maduro was in fact the result of a "negotiated exit".
U.S. Senator Mike Lee said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had informed that Maduro will stand trial in the U.S. If true, then the reports about some understanding are false.
"He informed me that Nicolás Maduro has been arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States, and that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant," the Utah senator posted to X.
"This action likely falls within the president's inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack," he added.
It was very clear from the beginning that the U.S. escalation against Venezuela was not the result of the drug problem, but rather a plot to overthrow Maduro in order to tap into the country's oil reserves, which are believed to be the largest in the world.
Trump first shied away from talking about a regime change in the country, or mentioning its resources. This changed in recent weeks, however, which was a sign that the U.S. was about to take action.
It is unclear how things will progress from here. The situation in Venezuela appears to be stable, with López and Rodríguez firmly in control. Thus, the same regime is still in power.
US and Israel Prepping for a New Attack on Iran by Creating a Narrative of Government Chaos
Was it just a coincidence that as Donald Trump met last Monday with Israel's Bibi Netanyahu to discuss a future attack against Iran that protests, some accompanied by violence, broke out in several cities in Iran? I am not a believer in coincidence. Following that meeting, the US news media - both print and electronic - was flooded with stories painting the protests as a mighty uprising of the Iranian people. A new revolution has begun... or so the Western public is being told.
Trump declared the readiness of the United States to come to the aid of protesters in Iran
The United States is ready to come to the aid of "peaceful protesters" in Iran if the authorities shoot at them, American leader Donald Trump said.
U.S. May Be About To Go All-In Against Iran - South Front
Welp, looks like the CIA/Mossad are quite busy drumming up support for regime change once again.
President Donald Trump issued another warning to Iran on January 5, saying that the Islamic Republic would get "hit very hard" by the United States if more protesters die during demonstrations that have entered a second week.
Iran's Judiciary chief warns rioters will face firm action without leniency
Iran's Judiciary chief warns that the United States and Israel have openly "supported insecurity" in the Islamic Republic, adding that rioters taking advantage of the economic protests will be dealt with firmly and without leniency.
JTA: Venezuela's acting leader says 'Zionist undertones' marked US capture of Maduro - The Occidental Observer
President Donald Trump doubled down on his assertion that the United States was "in charge" of Venezuela on Sunday night, telling reporters that he demanded "total access" from Rodriguez.
"We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country," Trump said.
Rodriguez's reference to "Zionist" influence echoed past statements by Maduro. The president said that "Zionists" were facilitating Venezuela's takeover as the United States ramped up its military campaign, including strikes on boats and a naval buildup in the Caribbean Sea, over recent months.
"There are those who want to hand this country over to the devils - you know who, right? The far-right Zionists want to hand this country over to the devils," Maduro said during a speech in November.
Maduro also blamed "international Zionism" for protests that swept across Venezuela in 2024, after he was accused of stealing the presidential election amid widespread claims of fraud.