The US military launched an operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, with limited ground-to-air fire but no aerial resistance. Experts suggest that Venezuela's air force was taken by surprise and prioritized withdrawal and dispersion of its assets.
Venezuela has issued a 48-hour ultimatum ordering international airlines to resume flights to Caracas or lose operating rights, escalating tensions in the region. The directive follows an FAA warning about hazardous conditions linked to US military activity and heightened tensions between Washington and the Maduro government.
The US Navy's Joint Integrated Fire Center (JIFC) was instrumental in the operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. According to Vice Adm.
The US military's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro relied heavily on space support from US Space Command (SPACECOM). According to SPACECOM spokespersons, space-based capabilities provided a critical layer of protection for the Joint Force during Operation Absolute Resolve.
The US military successfully conducted a surprise operation in Venezuela, taking down Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his security team. The operation was carried out with 150 aerial assets and employed advanced electronic and kinetic assault capabilities.
The US military conducted a surprise operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, involving over 150 aircraft and non-kinetic effects from US Space Command and US Cyber Command. According to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen.
According to Breaking Defense, US President Donald Trump announced that the US military had launched overnight attacks in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. The development comes after Maduro was charged with 'narco-terrorism' by US courts in 2020.
A JetBlue flight from Curaçao to New York narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a US Air Force tanker shortly after takeoff, according to Flightradar24. The incident took place on December 12, 2025, when the aircraft was climbing to 34,000 feet.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a critical notice to airmen warning pilots to avoid Venezuelan airspace through February 2026, citing escalating military activity, GPS interference, and threats to civil aircraft. The advisory follows reports of increased US military operations in the Caribbean and comes as senior officials indicate the Trump administration is preparing a new phase of operations targeting Venezuela's government.
On January 29, 2026, President Trump ordered the FAA to fully reopen Venezuelan airspace, allowing US airlines to restart commercial operations. American Airlines was the first airline to announce plans to reinstate nonstop service.
Six major international airlines have suspended flights to Venezuela following a US Federal Aviation Administration warning about heightened security risks in the country's airspace. Iberia, TAP Air Portugal, LATAM Airlines, Avianca, GOL Linhas Aéreas, and Caribbean Airlines halted operations on November 22, 2025, citing increased military activity that poses potential hazards to commercial aviation at all flight stages.