CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The United States hit Venezuela with a “large-scale strike†early Saturday and said its president, Nicolás Maduro, had been captured and flown out of the country after months of stepped-up pressure by Washington.
___
Pedestrians walk past the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
- RM
Smoke raises at La Carlota airport after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
- RM
Soldiers guard the area around the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
- RM
Pedestrians run after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
- RM
Residents evacuate a building near the Miraflores presidential palace after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
- RM
Supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro embrace in downtown Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
- RM
National Guard armored vehicles block an avenue leading to Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
- RM
Smoke rises from Fort Tiuna, the main military garrison in Caracas, Venezuela, after multiple explosions were heard and aircraft swept through the area, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
- RM
Venezuelans celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country in Santiago, Chile, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Esteban Felix)
- NP
Men watch smoke rising from a dock after explosions were heard at La Guaira port, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
- RM
Venezuelans celebrate after President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolas Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela, in Lima, Peru, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)
- MM
Venezuelans celebrate in Madrid, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of Venezuela. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
- BA
A woman cries during a rally of supporters of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country. (AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)
- RM
Government supporters demand President Nicolas Maduro's release from U.S. custody during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
- NP
People shout slogans during a protest in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, against a U.S. military attack that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from the country. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
- Emrah Gurel
A woman reacts as people gather against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
- EM
Protesters hold posters during a rally denouncing the U.S. government and President Donald Trump after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
- JM
Protesters shout slogans while holding a picture of U.S. President Donald Trump as they denounce the U.S. government and Trump after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a rally near the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
- Aaron Favila
