Early on January 3, 2026, a series of precision strikes and a lightning-fast ground operation fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape of South America. Reports from major outlets describe a city in shock and a region on the brink.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Military Incursion: “Southern Spear”
According to Pentagon briefings and on-the-ground reporting, the operation began at approximately 3:00 AM local time.
- Airstrikes: U.S. aircraft targeted high-level command and control centers, specifically the Fuerte Tiuna military complex and the La Carlota airbase.
- The Capture: Elite U.S. special operations teams reportedly infiltrated the presidential residence. President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were taken into custody and immediately transported to a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Caribbean before being moved to New York.
- Justification: The White House cited long-standing narcoterrorism indictments and “imminent threats to regional security” as the basis for the intervention.
Documented Reactions: A Tale of Two Cities
Photographic evidence captured a stark contrast in how the news was received:
| Location | Observed Reaction | Visual Details |
| Caracas, Venezuela | Shock & Conflict | Smoke rising over the skyline; armed “Colectivos” (loyalist militias) patrolling barrios; long lines at gas stations and grocery stores. |
| Doral, Florida | Celebration | Thousands of Venezuelan exiles gathered in “Little Venezuela,” waving flags and cheering the news of the administration’s collapse. |
| Cúcuta, Colombia | Apprehension | Heavy military presence at the border; humanitarian groups preparing for a massive surge of people fleeing potential civil war. |
The Power Vacuum and Global Response
The situation remains volatile as the Venezuelan military’s top brass issues conflicting statements.
- The Loyalists: Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López has appeared on state television calling for “total resistance,” though some units have reportedly stood down.
- The International Community: This move has fractured global alliances. While some regional neighbors see this as a “liberation,” powers like Russia and China have officially labeled the event an “illegal invasion,” calling for an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces.
