Thousands of Venezuelan citizens converged near the Miraflores Palace in Caracas on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026, in a massive demonstration against unprecedented military operations conducted by United States forces. The protests erupted following confirmed reports that American troops had launched coordinated strikes against Venezuelan targets in the early hours of the morning, resulting in the capture and extradition of the nation’s sitting president, Nicolás Maduro.
Eyewitness accounts describe a sea of Venezuelan flags and anti-American banners flooding the streets surrounding the presidential residence as demonstrators voiced their outrage at what many are calling a blatant violation of international sovereignty. The spontaneous gathering represents one of the largest public mobilizations in recent Venezuelan history, with participants from diverse political backgrounds uniting in their condemnation of foreign military intervention.
Security forces maintained a visible presence throughout the demonstrations, which remained largely peaceful despite heightened tensions. The Venezuelan military has been placed on highest alert following the early morning attacks, with acting leadership declaring a state of national emergency and vowing to pursue all diplomatic and legal avenues to address what they term ‘an act of international aggression.’
International reactions have been swift and divided, with several Latin American governments expressing alarm at the unilateral action while others have reserved judgment pending further investigation. The United Nations Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session to address the escalating crisis, which marks one of the most significant direct military interventions in the Western Hemisphere in decades.
The capture and removal of President Maduro represents an unprecedented escalation in the long-standing political standoff between Washington and Caracas, raising serious questions about international law norms regarding sovereignty and the use of military force against elected governments, regardless of their political orientation.