Agus Antonetti confirmed on X at 8:20 a.m. UTC that U.S. airstrikes destroyed the Hugo Chávez mausoleum at Cuartel de la Montaña in Caracas, where Chávez's remains were housed, while AlertaNews24 reported Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López was at Fort Tiuna military base during the U.S. attack with his health status unknown, between 8:15:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026. Michaelh992 and vcdgf555 shared geolocated footage confirming U.S. strikes hit two warehouses at La Guaira port north of Caracas during the window, following initial reports of attacks there, as posted on X. AlertaNews24 cited U.S. officials stating bombings against Venezuela continue, while AlarabyTV reported continuous low-altitude flights over Caracas. Sentdefender noted relative quiet in Venezuela by 8:20 a.m. UTC, posting that the U.S. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment may have completed a mission in Caracas covered by the strikes. Flightradar24 tracked a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft orbiting south of Puerto Rico, and SA_Defensa reported flights halted at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in Puerto Rico due to air traffic control directives. War_noir reported the criminal organization Tren del Llano called for armed attacks against the Venezuelan government following the U.S. airstrikes in Caracas. International reactions included Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advising Finns in Venezuela to contact loved ones, Turkish Presidential Advisor Cemil Ertem stating support for Maduro and the Venezuelan people, and Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel denouncing the U.S. actions. These developments follow U.S. strikes on the Chávez mausoleum, La Guaira port, and other sites reported between 7:45 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. UTC, amid prior footage of U.S. helicopters and explosions at military bases in Caracas.
