A U.S. official confirmed to The Wall Street Journal at 9:15 a.m. UTC that a military operation is underway in Venezuela, with the White House expected to issue a statement once U.S. forces exit Venezuelan airspace, as Venezuelan paramilitary soldiers patrolled Caracas streets kicking down doors between 8:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. UTC on January 3, 2026. President Nicolás Maduro declared a state of emergency and activated defense plans authorizing civilian organizations to use weapons, with 8 million people signed up for the Bolivarian Militia, according to GUnderground_TV citing official reports. Military forces deployed on Caracas streets, particularly in the eastern opposition stronghold, per ThomasVLinge, while RomeritoEli warned residents not to go out. Astrainintel reported unidentified militants on Caracas streets amid total chaos. Opposition spokesman David Smolansky confirmed via SA_Defensa that El Volcán signal antenna at 10°24'59"N 66°51'01"W was targeted. Sentdefender listed confirmed strikes on Fuerte Tiuna main military base, La Carlota main airbase, El Volcán, La Guaira port, and Higuerote Airport airbase in Miranda state. All commercial flights in Venezuela were canceled, NBC reported citing Noticias Telemundo, while the FAA banned U.S. commercial flights in Venezuelan airspace over ongoing military activity, per Associated Press. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated his government will react, noting 11 Polish citizens remain in Venezuela despite warnings, as the Polish embassy verified no citizens need help and urged safety measures. Iran's foreign ministry slammed the U.S. attack, per PTVBreaking1. These developments follow U.S. strikes on the Hugo Chávez mausoleum and Fort Tiuna reported earlier at 8:20 a.m. UTC by Agus Antonetti and AlertaNews24.
