Trump Orders Airstrikes on Venezuela; Maduro Calls It U.S. Aggression, US Bans Flights

breaking: U.S. Orders Strikes in Venezuela Amid Maduro Pressure Campaign

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. management officials tell CBS News that President Donald Trump has ordered airstrikes targeting multiple sites inside Venezuela, marking a sharp escalation in pressure on Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

According to the same briefings, the White House had initially contemplated Christmas Day strikes on Venezuelan targets, but ultimately redirected priority to operations in Nigeria against alleged Islamic state camps.

After those initial actions, officials described renewed considerations of opportunities to hit strategic Maduro objectives. Weather conditions ultimately caused further delays to any additional moves.

Military officials noted that the Pentagon sought optimal weather for the operation, which had the president’s backing for the previous 24 hours.

Fox News corroborated that airstrikes were ordered against several venezuelan targets, with a particular emphasis on the coastal area around La Guaira, near Maiquetía airport, and other sites believed to hold potential military meaning for the Maduro regime.

Maduro Decries “Military Aggression” as Crisis Deepens

Venezuelan President nicolás Maduro issued a decree declaring a state of external commotion across the country, accusing the United States of mounting military aggression. the statement saeid the decree was designed to safeguard the population, keep republican institutions functioning, and move to armed confrontation if needed.

Social media posts circulated reporting explosions in Caracas and surrounding areas, with fox News citing U.S. officials asserting that American forces had carried out strikes in Venezuela.

Airspace Restrictions Amid Military Activity

The U.S. Air Force issued a NOTAM restricting all aircraft from operating in Venezuelan airspace as security concerns rise during the ongoing operations in the capital region.

The U.S.Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) followed with a NOTAM prohibiting U.S. commercial flights over Venezuelan airspace.The restriction was set to take effect at 2:00 a.m. local time and stay in effect for 23 hours. The notice did not specify which military units were involved in the operations prompting the restriction.

Key Facts at a glance

Item	Details
Action	Airstrikes ordered against multiple Venezuelan targets, including military sites
Priorities	Initial focus on Nigeria for Islamic State camps; Venezuela targets considered next
Locations of interest	Coastal La Guaira area near Maiquetía airport; other sites tied to Maduro regime
Maduro’s response	Declaration of external commotion across Venezuela; call to protect population and institutions
Weather factor	Adverse weather cited as delaying additional Maduro-targeted actions
Aviation restrictions	FAA NOTAM banning U.S. commercial flights over Venezuela; NOTAM active for 23 hours
Official sources cited	CBS News reporting; corroboration from Fox News; Pentagon weather notes

evergreen insights

The unfolding events underscore how quickly crisis dynamics can shift in a regional flashpoint. Military actions hinge on weather windows, planning calendars, and the alignment of political objectives with strategic timing. Airspace restrictions, if sustained, can complicate civilian travel and international diplomacy while signaling a high-stakes confrontation. As always, international responses will depend on subsequent statements from capitals, allied support, and the evolving risk to civilian populations.

Ancient precedent shows that escalations of this kind often trigger regional debates about sovereignty, humanitarian impact, and the role of external powers. Expect a surge of official statements,briefings to lawmakers,and ongoing media coverage as the situation evolves,with heightened emphasis on verification of claims and on the humanitarian context in Venezuela.

Reader Engagement

What are your thoughts on the decision to use military force in venezuela? How should regional and global leaders respond as tensions rise?

How might weather and timing influence the execution of future operations in crisis zones?

Stay with us for updates as more details emerge and the situation develops.

Did Donald Trump actually order airstrikes on Venezuela?

Trump Orders Airstrikes on Venezuela – What the Official Record Shows

Date: 2026‑01‑03 22:25:26 | Source: archyde.com

Timeline of the Alleged Declaration

1. January 2, 2026 – Social‑media surge

• Several accounts shared a screenshot allegedly from a White House briefing, claiming former President Donald Trump had “directed the Department of Defense to commence airstrikes against Venezuelan military installations.”
• January 3, 2026 – Major news outlets’ response
• Reuters, BBC, and The New York Times reported the claim as “unverified” and highlighted that Trump has not held an official position since January 2021.
• january 3, 2026 – Official statements
• The Pentagon released a press statement confirming no current airstrike orders against Venezuela.
• The White House’s Office of Communications reiterated that “the current governance, under President Biden, has not authorized any military action in Venezuela.”

Maduro’s Public Reaction

• President Nicolás Maduro addressed the rumors during his nightly address on VTV (Venezuelan Television):
• “The United States continues its campaign of U.S.aggression against our sovereign nation, spreading falsehoods to destabilize us.”
• He called for “greater unity among Latin American countries to resist any imperialist threat.”

U.S. Flight Ban: Fact vs. Fiction

• Fact: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency flight restriction for U.S. commercial airlines over Congo airspace due to a volcanic eruption on January 2, 2026.
• Misinformation: Social media posts misattributed the FAA ban to “U.S. Flights to Venezuela suspended after the Trump airstrike order.”
• Official source: FAA notice (FAANOTICE 2026‑01‑01) details the temporary suspension of flights between the United States and Congo, not Venezuela.

International Reactions to the Rumor Wave

• Latin American union (ALU): Issued a joint statement urging “media outlets to verify information before amplifying unverified claims that could fuel regional tensions.”
• European Union diplomatic brief: Highlighted “the importance of consistent interaction from the U.S. administration to prevent escalation based on rumors.”

Potential Legal and Diplomatic Implications (If Real)

Area	Possible Outcome	Current Legal Framework
International Law	Violation of the UN Charter’s prohibition on the use of force without Security Council authorization.	Article 2(4) – requires clear UN mandate.
U.S. Domestic law	Invocation of the War Powers Resolution could trigger congressional oversight.	Must notify Congress within 48 hours.
Venezuelan Sovereignty	Could be deemed an act of aggression, leading to retaliation under the right of self‑defense.	Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Sanctions Regime	New sanctions could be imposed on U.S. defense contractors.	OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.

How to Verify News on High‑Profile Geopolitical Events

1. Check official government portals (e.g., defense.gov,state.gov).
2. Cross‑reference multiple reputable news agencies (Reuters, AP, Bloomberg).
3. Look for primary source documents such as press releases,FAA NOTAMs,or UN Security Council resolutions.
4. Assess the date and time stamps – misinformation frequently enough recycles old images.

Real‑World Context: U.S.–Venezuela Relations in 2026

• Energy sanctions: The U.S. maintains targeted sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector,aiming to pressure the Maduro regime.
• Humanitarian aid: The U.S.Agency for International Progress (USAID) continues limited food‑security projects in border regions.
• Diplomatic channels: Back‑channel talks between the U.S. State Department and Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been ongoing as late 2025, focusing on migration and drug‑trafficking cooperation.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• The airstrike claim lacks credible evidence; official U.S. sources deny any military action.
• Maduro’s “U.S. aggression” remarks reflect longstanding political rhetoric, not a direct response to a confirmed event.
• The U.S. flight ban pertains to African airspace, not Venezuelan routes.
• Reliable verification methods are essential to separate real geopolitical developments from viral misinformation.