US Strikes on Venezuela and Reports of Maduro’s Capture Create Regional Uncertainty and Airspace Disruptions

A wave of US military strikes on Venezuela early today sent shockwaves across the region, with explosions, power outages, and emergency declarations unfolding within minutes. The situation has rapidly escalated into one of the most serious security events in South America in recent years, drawing global attention and prompting immediate operational responses.

Residents in Caracas described a night of “continuous blasts” and low‑flying aircraft as multiple sites were struck shortly after 2:00 am local time. Fires were seen near military installations, and several districts experienced sudden blackouts. Venezuelan authorities accused the United States of targeting both military and civilian infrastructure.

The government declared a nationwide state of emergency as emergency crews and security forces were deployed across affected areas. Hours later, the crisis deepened further when US President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife had been “captured and flown out of the country” following the strikes. an extraordinary claim that Venezuelan officials have not yet confirmed.

The strikes come amid months of rising tension between the two countries. Regional leaders expressed concern about the potential for wider instability, with neighboring states monitoring the situation closely. Colombia’s president said Caracas was “being bombed with missiles,” underscoring the severity of the unfolding crisis and raising fears of spillover effects across borders.

The US Federal Aviation Administration issued a ban on all US aircraft entering Venezuelan airspace, leading airlines to reroute flights away from the Maiquetía FIR. Operators in surrounding regions were also advised to remain cautious as the security situation made conditions in nearby FIRs increasingly unpredictable.

With military activity still reported in several regions, communications disrupted in parts of the country, and the political situation now thrown into complete uncertainty, the full extent of the damage and the implications of Maduro’s reported capture remain unclear.