# The US is currently attacking Caracas (Venezuela), has captured Maduro **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 3, 2026, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296 "2026-01-03T06:49:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/1 "2026-01-03T06:49:46Z")
> **[Scoiattolo (@scoiattolo.mountainherder.xyz)](https://bsky.app/profile/scoiattolo.mountainherder.xyz/post/3mbisgwbtrk2e)** > > What are we doing https://t.me/traficoGranCaracas/94548 Lots of airstrikes and helicopters. Bluesky is suggesting it’s likely to be a snatch and grab attempt on Maduro. Fucking wild. Puzzlegal edited to add: This is a general discussion thread. A breaking news thread has been created here > [@US attacks Venezuela and captures President Maduro - Jan 3, 2026{Breaking News}](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-attacks-venezuela-and-captures-president-maduro-jan-3-2026-breaking-news/1026300): > > This is the Breaking News thread. CNN updating link below [https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/venezuela-explosions-caracas-intl-hnk-01-03-26](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/venezuela-explosions-caracas-intl-hnk-01-03-26) I expect P&E and Pit threads will likely be opened as well, and if so, i will link them here. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/2 "2026-01-03T06:58:38Z")
Well what else would you expect from the bestest everest Nobel Peace Prize candidate? You gotta think bigger than a New York street gang. You can’t just knock over a couple of fruit stands to get the attention of TPTB. If blockading their ports isn’t causus belli, I presume kidnapping their President must up the ante a little? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/3 "2026-01-03T07:00:18Z")
CNN correspondents in Caracas are eyewitnesses to explosions occurring in the city. > **[CNN team witnesses multiple explosions in Venezuela’s capital Caracas | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/03/americas/venezuela-explosions-intl-hnk)** > > A CNN team witnessed several explosions on Saturday night in Caracas, and reported that some areas of the city were without electricity. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/4 "2026-01-03T07:03:10Z")
Un-freaking-believable. This guy is certifiable. If congress had any balls at all, they’d impeach him tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/5 "2026-01-03T07:11:09Z")
FIFA is gonna want that peace prize back. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/6 "2026-01-03T07:54:06Z")
I don’t think attacking what is reported to be a civilian airport can be considered a military objective. > **[Fubar 🇨🇦 (@captainfubar.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:q5uh2um4i5d5o6tbvi5iuump/post/3mbitmbrv5225?ref_src=embed)** > > Big explosion occurred at Higuerote Airport > > This is a civilian airport located in the state of Miranda 90 km east of the capital ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/7 "2026-01-03T08:34:48Z")
We’re going to get kicked out of the UN. We’re already losing all of our allies. Nobody trusts us now. And we now have more war crimes chalked up to our military. We need a “Tehran” in America. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/8 "2026-01-03T08:38:33Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > We’re going to get kicked out of the UN. Is there a way to kick out a permanent member of the security council? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/9 "2026-01-03T08:40:52Z")
Colombia (that is Venezuela’s neighbour) is member of the Security Council of the UN since the 1st of this month. **[Gustavo Petro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustavo_Petro)**, the President, shows explosions in Caracas this night and calls for the Security Council to investigate this aggression (link to Xit, sorry): > > > Radar Austral @RadarAustral\_ > [@Monty](#): > > We’re going to get kicked out of the UN. There is no mechanism forseen for that. **Manolo** **De** **Los** **Santos** , the co-executive director of the People’s Forum and researcher at Tricontinental (Institute for Social Research), sends some xits too: > Fuerte Tiuna, the biggest military base in Venezuela, is burning after several explosions: [![](https://static.eldiario.es/clip/83fdd20e-d9d7-480d-89b9-db8b75ae5856_16-9-discover-aspect-ratio_default_0.webp) ](https://static.eldiario.es/clip/83fdd20e-d9d7-480d-89b9-db8b75ae5856_16-9-discover-aspect-ratio_default_0.webp) Peace in our time! Learning from the ~~Soviet Union~~ Russia is learning to be victorious! ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/10 "2026-01-03T08:45:08Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > > [@Monty](#): > > > > We’re going to get kicked out of the UN. > > Is there a way to kick out a permanent member of the security council? > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > There is no mechanism forseen for that. Yeah. So the General Assembly will condemn the United States. Wow. What a wonderful start to the new year. And the mid-term elections are still ten months away. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/11 "2026-01-03T08:46:11Z")
We gonna get bombed. Yep, Trump gonna clean up D.C. , alright. Maybe the hard way. I don’t hate easily. But I hate that idiot. Please let them bomb Maralago and not some childrens hospital. Oh, God ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/12 "2026-01-03T08:46:32Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > And the mid-term elections are still ten months away. el donald needs an excuse to cancel those. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/13 "2026-01-03T08:46:59Z")
They can condemn all they want, if the General Assembly tries to impose sanctions the USA has veto power in the Security Council. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/14 "2026-01-03T08:51:20Z")
We really need a hero. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/15 "2026-01-03T08:59:35Z")
I just remembered the United States of America and Venezuela are both members of the Organization of American States. As such, they’re not supposed to be bombing other members. See [Article 28 of the OAS charter](https://www.cidh.oas.org/basicos/english/basic22.charter%20oas.htm). > [@](#): > > Every act of aggression by a State against the territorial integrity or the inviolability of the territory or against the sovereignty or political independence of an American State shall be considered an act of aggression against the other American States. So the menace is trying to get us into a war with the entire Western Hemisphere. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/16 "2026-01-03T09:05:57Z")
No. And it’s a puzzling take to be honest in context to the number and severity of conflicts that have occurred since the formation of the UN that this would be the one that would result in the boot of a member. I’m curious how much Venezuelan support exists for this sort of action though. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/17 "2026-01-03T09:07:41Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I’m curious how much Venezuelan support exists for this sort of action though. Who gives a shit? What’s the justification for the initiation of hostilities against a sovereign state? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/18 "2026-01-03T09:14:34Z")
@Cervaise, it’s easy. Said out loud: “Drugs! Criminals! Drug cartels! Murderers! Rapists! Drugs!” Said _sotto voce_: “We need to get back to the time when the US could depose South American rulers at will to further its ends. If we get rid of Maduro, we get oil.” ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/19 "2026-01-03T09:28:12Z")
I haven’t found the original source but on my feed from NYT: > [@](#): > > President Trump announces on social media that the United States has captured Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan leader, and his wife and that they are being flown out of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296/20 "2026-01-03T09:31:26Z")
> [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > el donald needs an excuse to cancel those It’s not up to the president whether to hold elections or not. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-is-currently-attacking-caracas-venezuela-has-captured-maduro/1026296.md?page=2)