U.S. military strikes hit military and alleged civilian targets in Caracas and surrounding Venezuelan states early on January 3, 2026, prompting widespread condemnation from Venezuela's government and divided reactions across major cable news outlets.
CNN provided on-the-ground reporting, with correspondents witnessing explosions, low-flying aircraft, and power outages in Caracas, framing the event as a serious escalation amid U.S. accusations of Venezuelan ties to drug trafficking, while highlighting Venezuela's claims of "grave military aggression" aimed at seizing oil resources.
Fox News reported confirmation from U.S. officials and the White House that strikes were underway, emphasizing the Trump administration's long-standing pressure campaign against the Maduro regime over alleged narco-terrorism and portraying the action as a decisive step to disrupt drug networks.
All three outlets aired continuous coverage with eyewitness videos, smoke plumes over military sites like Fuerte Tiuna, and Maduro's declaration of a national state of emergency, while noting the strikes follow months of U.S. naval buildup and prior attacks on suspected drug vessels.
🚨🇻🇪🇺🇸 U.S. LAUNCHES AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT ON VENEZUELA
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 3, 2026
Initial reports indicate the U.S. Marine Corps has begun an amphibious assault operation along the northern coast of Venezuela, near Caracas.
Details remain limited, but the landing suggests a new phase of direct ground… https://t.co/viPaTYk3jl pic.twitter.com/4Rm3M5xe8p
Analysts across outlets debated potential for broader conflict, with some warning of regime change implications and others tying it to ongoing anti-drug operations under President Trump.
The U.S. has not issued an official public statement confirming the strikes as of early reporting, though sources cited by CBS and Fox indicated presidential authorization targeting facilities linked to alleged criminal activities.