Live coverage from Venezuela: See the aftermath of strike and capture
By Miami Herald
READ MORE
Strike on Venezuela
What to know about the U.S. military action in Venezuela and the removal of leader Nicolas Maduro.
Expand All
Here is what Venezuela looked like Saturday after the U.S. military strikes on Caracas and the capture of leader Nicolas Maduro:
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. AFP via Getty Images
Smoke is seen over buildings after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 03, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. According to some reports, explosions were heard in Caracas and other cities near airports and military bases around 2 am. US President Donald Trump later announced that his country's military had launched a "large-scale" attack on Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images) Jesus Vargas Getty Images
Venezuelans leaving their country gather before walking through the border crossing in Cucuta, Colombia, on January 3, 2026, after US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. SCHNEYDER MENDOZA AFP via Getty Images
Venezuelans leaving their country arrive at the border crossing in Cucuta, Colombia, on January 3, 2026. SCHNEYDER MENDOZA AFP via Getty Images
A vehicle burns at La Carlota air base in Caracas after a series of explosions on January 3, 2026. Loud explosions, accompanied by sounds resembling aircraft flyovers, were heard in Caracas around 2:00 am (0600 GMT) on January 3, an AFP journalist reported. The explosions come as US President Donald Trump, who has deployed a navy task force to the Caribbean, raised the possibility of ground strikes against Venezuela. (Photo by Juan BARRETO / AFP via Getty Images) JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
Colombian Police officers stand guard in Cucuta, at a border crossing with neighboring Venezuela, on January 3, 2026, after US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. SCHNEYDER MENDOZA AFP via Getty Images
A burnt vehicle is seen at La Carlota air base in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
Venezuelans arrive at the border crossing in Cucuta, Colombia. SCHNEYDER MENDOZA AFP via Getty Images
A member of the National Guard stands guard at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela's largest military complex, in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. FEDERICO PARRA AFP via Getty Images
A scorched patch of grass is seen at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 3, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. Jesus Vargas Getty Images
Venezuelans gather before walking through the border crossing in Cucuta, Colombia, on January 3, 2026. SCHNEYDER MENDOZA AFP via Getty Images
A burnt missile interceptor vehicle is seen at La Carlota air base in Caracas. JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
US military fighter jets sit on the tarmac at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, formerly Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on January 3, 2026. The United States has deployed a major military force in the Caribbean and has recently intercepted oil tankers as part of a naval blockade against Venezuelan vessels it considers to be under sanctions. Since September, US forces have launched dozens of air strikes on boats that Washington alleges, without showing evidence, were transporting drugs. More than 100 people have been killed. MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO AFP via Getty Images
View of a destroyed bus at La Carlota air base in Caracas on January 3, 2026. JUAN BARRETO AFP via Getty Images
A Colombian soldier deployed in Cucuta, keeps watch from a military vehicle at the border crossing with neighboring Venezuela, on January 3, 2026. SCHNEYDER MENDOZA AFP via Getty Images
A firefighters passes by a burnt military vehicle at La Carlota air base in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a "large scale strike" on the South American country. FEDERICO PARRA AFP via Getty Images
People watch the smoke rising from Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 03, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. Jesus Vargas Getty Images
Smoke rises from Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on January 03, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. Jesus Vargas Getty Images
A Colombian soldier deployed in Cucuta, stands guard at the border crossing with neighboring Venezuela. SCHNEYDER MENDOZA AFP via Getty Images
This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 8:08 AM.
