Politics USA apparently attacks targets in Venezuela
The USA has apparently attacked targets in Venezuela. The government in Caracas accused Washington of carrying out military aggression against civilian and military targets. The US media outlets CBS News and Fox News also reported that the US had attacked targets in Venezuela. US President Donald Trump had authorized the attacks, CBS News reported, citing US officials.
03.01.2026, 09:11
03.01.2026, 09:53
SDA
The attacks were a violation of the UN Charter, according to a statement from the Venezuelan government. The aim of the USA is to seize Venezuela's natural resources - such as its large oil reserves - and force a change of government. "They will not succeed," the statement said. Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro has long accused the US government of trying to force a change of government in Caracas.
When asked by the German Press Agency, the Pentagon referred to the White House, which initially did not respond.
Explosions and columns of smoke over Caracas
Footage of explosions and columns of smoke in the capital Caracas could be seen in Venezuelan media and on social networks. Several of these are said to have occurred in the La Carlota area, where a Venezuelan air force base is located. A video from the VPItv channel showed several helicopters flying over the city at night. Armored vehicles of the Venezuelan security forces could be seen near the Miraflores presidential palace.
The president of Venezuela's neighboring country Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wrote on X: "At this moment Caracas is being bombed. Alert to all, Venezuela has been attacked. They are bombarding it with missiles. The Organization of American States and the United Nations should meet immediately."
USA has assembled a massive force off Venezuela
The conflict between the USA and Venezuela has escalated in recent months. Since September, the US military has repeatedly attacked boats allegedly loaded with drugs in the Caribbean and the Pacific. According to the US government, more than 100 people have been killed in the process.
Most recently, US forces attacked an alleged "drug transshipment site" in Venezuela, according to Trump. "There was a big explosion in the port area where the boats are loaded with drugs," he said.
The US armed forces also massively expanded their presence in the Caribbean. Among other things, additional combat aircraft and the world's largest aircraft carrier "USS Gerald R. Ford" - accompanied by other warships and a long-range bomber - were deployed to the region. Officially, the "Southern Spear" operation is directed against drug smuggling.
However, Venezuela is not considered a drug-producing country, but rather a transit country - primarily for the European market. According to experts, the armed forces are oversized for use against drug smugglers.
Following Maduro's re-election in 2024, which was overshadowed by allegations of fraud, the government in Washington no longer recognizes the left-wing politician as the legitimate head of state. It also accuses him of being involved in drug trafficking himself. The USA has offered a reward of up to 50 million dollars (around 43 million euros) for information leading to Maduro's arrest.
World's largest oil reserves in Venezuela
Maduro, for his part, is accusing the USA of targeting Venezuela's huge oil reserves. With an estimated 303 billion barrels (159 liters each), the South American country has the largest oil reserves in the world. However, due to sanctions, mismanagement and a lack of investment, production is falling far short of its potential.
